The Ladder Series of books are specially prepared editions of well-known American books. They have been made easier to read for the enjoyment of reader for whom English is a second language.
The series is built on a "ladder" of five steps-from 1,000 to 5,000 different English words. The books have been shortened, but they keep the ideas, facts, and pleasures found in them by American readers.
This book uses 1,000 English words. Some words in the book are above this step and will be found written in boltdface letters. They are explained in the glossary at the back.
The publisher hopes the reader will enjoy this series while going up the ladder to more difficult reading. american scenes, O. Henry