Eric, a Waif by Emma Leslie (1919)
The story follows Eric Hunter, a young boy who becomes an orphan after his mother, suspected of being a witch and a Methodist, dies in the village of Summerleigh. The villagers are suspicious and unwelcoming, but Eric finds work at The Magpie inn, where he tends to the horses. Despite the prejudice against him, Eric is diligent and kind-hearted, forming a bond with the landlord, John Tyler, who sees potential in him. Tragedy strikes when Tyler dies in an accident, leaving Eric homeless and vulnerable. He is unjustly accused of being a beggar and is sentenced to transportation to America as a convict. On the journey, Eric meets Sister Martin, a compassionate Methodist missionary who becomes a mother figure to him. She helps him maintain his faith in God despite the hardships he faces. In America, Eric is sold as a slave, but the convicts he befriended on the ship, along with Sister Martin, pool their resources to buy his freedom. Eric finds work at a farm owned by Mr. Consett, a kind Methodist who values Eric's skills with horses. Eric thrives under Consett's mentorship, learning the importance of community and faith. Years later, Eric returns to England as a successful man. He revisits Summerleigh, where he is now respected, and helps Sister Martin settle in the village. Through their quiet influence, the villagers' attitudes begin to change, and Eric's legacy as a once-rejected waif turned benefactor becomes a testament to the power of kindness and perseverance.
By Emma Leslie · First published 1919 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Realism, Bildungsroman · 8 chapters · 30,734 words
First lines
"SO the old witch is dead, and Dame Willoughby may hope to raise a whole brood of chickens, and Farmer Sawyer need not fear his cheese will be spoiled; " and the speaker lifted his broad-brimmed tattered hat, and wiped the perspiration from his brow, looking expectantly at the landlord of The Magpie as he did so.
"That news is worth a horn of ale, isn't it, Master Tyler? " he asked, when he found it met with little response.
What this Textopian page supports
Eric, a Waif is listed on Textopian as a novella by Emma Leslie, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Emma Leslie
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Realism, Bildungsroman, Psychological Fiction, Drama
- Length: 30,734 words
- Structure: 8 chapters, 539 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Eric, a Waif by Emma Leslie
- 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
- Literary Fiction — The narrative likely emphasizes deep character development and thematic exploration that transcends mere plot mechanics.
- Social Realism — The portrayal of hardship and the struggles inherent in a life marked by neglect suggest a focus on realistic social conditions.
- Bildungsroman — The story appears to follow the protagonist's personal growth and maturation, a hallmark of coming-of-age narratives.
- Psychological Fiction — The emphasis on internal conflict and identity crisis implies a strong psychological dimension to the writing.
Tags
Coming of Age · Orphan · Social Injustice · Hardship · Courage · Resilience · Class Struggle · Poverty · Childhood · Loss · Survival · Urban Life
Contents
- Eric Hunter
- At the Magpie
- A Fatal Journey
- English Slaves
- The Voyage
- A New Home
- A Wild Goose Chase
- Conclusion