The Old Worcester Jug by Eglanton Thorne
John Griffin, a china dealer in a small shop, encounters a widow and her daughter, Maggie, who sell him a valuable Worcester jug for a fraction of its worth. Griffin, realizing his mistake, vows to make amends. After the widow's death, Griffin and his wife take in Maggie, treating her as their own. As Griffin falls ill, he confesses his deceit to Colonel Platten, who bought the jug. It is revealed that Maggie is the colonel's granddaughter. Despite the colonel's claim, Maggie remains with the Griffins until Griffin's death. Eventually, Maggie finds a new home with her grandfather, Colonel Platten, and Mrs. Griffin, who continues to care for her. The story concludes with Maggie cherishing the jug as a symbol of her past and the love she received.
By Eglanton Thorne · First published 1882 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Literary Fiction · 13 chapters · 37,318 words
First lines
MIDWAY in a long lane of houses, running east and west between Plymouth and Stonehouse, stood, some years ago, a small whitewashed house with bright green shutters and bright green door. It was hardly more than a cottage in size. The houses opposite were far larger, but the smaller dwelling had the advantage in respectability of appearance. It claimed attention, too, by the announcement painted in large letters over the door: JOHN GRIFFIN'S OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Worcester Jug is listed on Textopian as a novella by Eglanton Thorne, dated 1882 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Eglanton Thorne
- Date: 1882 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Drama, Gothic
- Length: 37,318 words
- Structure: 13 chapters, 743 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Worcester Jug by Eglanton Thorne
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The title suggests an artifact rooted in a specific time and place, implying detailed historical context and period-specific themes.
- Mystery — An unusual object like the old jug hints at secrets, clues, and revelations woven into the narrative.
- Literary Fiction — The likely focus on thematic depth, character introspection, and stylistic nuance aligns with literary traditions.
- Drama — The narrative may explore intricate personal or familial conflicts, enhancing emotional and relational stakes.
Tags
historical fiction · mystery · adventure · quirky · satirical · rural · small-town · nostalgic · dark humor · period drama · folklore · eccentric characters
Contents
- A Good Bargain
- A Sudden Parting
- Maggie's Second Visit to the Old Curiosity Shop
- John Griffin Makes a Vow
- Maud Platten and Leslie Thornton
- How John Griffin Kept his Vow
- Christmas Day
- Maud Platten Visits the Shop
- The Worcester Jug Finds a Purchaser
- Maggie Goes to the Doctor's House
- Colonel Platten Receives a Strange Request
- Maggie is Claimed
- Old Griffin Falls Asleep