"The Dark Day" is a collection of Carelton's stories, including the title piece, "Lha Dhu" (subtitled "The Dark Day") In the tale, a marriage divides a family and leads to tragedy. "Ellen Duncan" deals with crushing poverty and a man condemned by mistake. "The Proctor's Daughter" shows the change that can be wrought by a simply act of kindness, and "The Dead Boxer" has "Strong Handed O'Rorke" tangling with old Nell McCollum, who blames his family for her ills, and schemes against him.
Careleton's stories are the trials of common people, told in their own words, full of the sense of time and place that marked his stories.
