The Inspector of Gas-Meters' Story
The story revolves around a narrator who recounts his experience of being transported back in time to the year 1234. He finds himself in the midst of a medieval battle and becomes involved with a group of soldiers. The narrator's modern knowledge and perspective influence the outcome of the battle, leading to a series of unexpected events.
By Edward Everett Hale · First published 1898 · Genre: Short Story, Humor, Adventure · 408 words
First lines
Mine is a tale of the ingratitude of republics. It is well-nigh thirty years since I was walking by the Owego and Ithaca Railroad, -- a crooked road, not then adapted to high speed. Of a sudden I saw that a long cross timber, on a trestle, high above a swamp, had sprung up from its ties. I looked for a spike with which to secure it. I found a stone with which to hammer the spike. But at this moment a train approached, down hill. I screamed. They heard! But the engine had no power to stop the heavy train. With the presence of mind of a poet, and the courage of a hero, I flung my own weight on the fatal timber. I would hold it down, or perish. The engine came. The elasticity of the pine timber whirled me in the air! But I held on. The tender crossed. Again I was flung in wild gyrations. But I held on. "It is no bed of roses," I said; "but what act of Parliament was there that I should be happy?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Inspector of Gas-Meters' Story is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edward Everett Hale, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edward Everett Hale
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Humor, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Satire
- Length: 408 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Inspector of Gas-Meters' Story by Edward Everett Hale
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- The Lost Inheritance by H. G. Wells
- Boon by H. G. Wells
- Happy Ending by Henry Kuttner
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- The Whizzer by Edward Everett Hale
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a brief narrative focusing on a single incident.
- Humor — The story contains elements of exaggeration and irony, creating a humorous tone.
- Adventure — The plot involves a dramatic and risky action taken by the protagonist.
- Historical Fiction — The story references historical figures and events, blending them with fictional elements.
Tags
Science Fiction · Short Story · Philosophical · Speculative · Alternate History · Utopian · Dystopian · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Irony · Fantasy