Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914) was a short story writer, an editorialist, a satirist and a journalist. He is best known for his Devil's Dictionary. His sardonic view of human nature and his tough stance as a critic earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce". Despite his reputation Bierce always encouraged young writers. Bierce went to Mexico to get a first hand view of the revolution. He disappeared without a trace. The Table of Contents for Can Such Things Be? includes The death of Halpin Frayser, The secret of Macarger's Gulch, One summer night, The moonlit road, A diagnosis of death, Moxon's master, A tough tussle, One of twins, The haunted valley, A jug of sirup, Staley Fleming's hallucination, A resumed identity, Hazen's brigade, A baby tramp, The night-doings at "Deadman's", A story that is untrue, Beyond the wall, A psychological shipwreck, The middle toe of the right foot, John Mortonson's funeral, The realm of the unreal, John Bartine's watch, A story by a physician, The damned thing, Haita the shepherd, An inhabitant of Carcosa, and The Stranger,