The Lost Opportunity
The story revolves around a fictional character's experiences on Wall Street during the early 20th century. The protagonist, a young and ambitious trader, navigates the financial world, making savvy investments and facing setbacks. Through his journey, the novel explores themes of greed, risk-taking, and the psychological effects of market fluctuations on individuals.
By Edwin Lefevre · First published 1919 · Genre: Finance, Biography, Non-fiction · 2,606 words
First lines
For many years Daniel Dittenhoeffer had desired the ruin of John F. Greener. "Dutch Dan," as the Street called Dittenhoeffer was a burly man with very blonde hair, a very red nose and a very loud voice. Greener was a sallow, swarthy bit of a man, with black hair and a squeaky voice. He had furtive brown eyes and a very high forehead; while Dittenhoeffer had frank blue eyes and the pugnacious chin and thick neck of a prize fighter. Both were members of the New York Stock Exchange but Greener was never seen on the "floor" after one of his victims lifted him bodily by the collar and dropped him fifteen feet into a coal cellar on Exchange Place. He would plan the wrecks of railroad systems as a measure preliminary to their absorption, just as a boa constrictor crushes its victims into pulp the more easily to swallow them. But the practice, unchecked for years, had made him nervous and soul-fidgetty.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lost Opportunity is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edwin Lefevre, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edwin Lefevre
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Finance, Biography, Non-fiction, Historical, Educational
- Length: 2,606 words
- Structure: 1 section, 41 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lost Opportunity by Edwin Lefevre
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Edwin Lefevre fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Golden Flood by Edwin Lefevre
- The Man Who Won by Edwin Lefevre
- The Break In Turpentine by Edwin Lefevre
- The Plunderers by Edwin Lefevre
- The Last Penny by Edwin Lefevre
- H R by Edwin Lefevre
Genres
- Finance — The book primarily deals with financial markets and investment strategies.
- Biography — It provides a detailed account of the life and experiences of a stock trader.
- Non-fiction — The narrative is based on real events and factual information.
- Historical — It offers insights into the historical context of the stock market during the early 20th century.
Tags
Finance · Investing · Stock Market · Trading · Wall Street · Biography · Memoir · Non-Fiction · Business · Economics · History · American History