Colonel Carter's Christmas

Name: Colonel Carter's Christmas
Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith

Colonel Carter's Christmas is a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the tale of Colonel Carter, a wealthy and successful man who has lost his faith in humanity. On Christmas Eve, he receives an unexpected visit from three strangers who teach him valuable lessons about kindness, generosity, and forgiveness. The story is a heartwarming reminder of the true spirit of Christmas and the importance of giving back to others.

By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1894 · Genre: Holiday Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction · 5 chapters · 25,899 words

First lines

"What am I gwine to do wid dese yere barkers, Colonel? " asked Chad, picking up his master's case of duelling pistols from the mantel. "I ain't tetched der moufs since I iled 'em up for dat Klutchem man."

"Take them upstairs, Chad, and put them away," answered the Colonel with an indignant wave of the hand.

What this Textopian page supports

Colonel Carter's Christmas is listed on Textopian as a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1894 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
Date: 1894 CE
Language: English
Genres: Holiday Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Drama
Length: 25,899 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 516 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Colonel Carter's Christmas by Francis Hopkinson Smith
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

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Colonel Carter's Christmas?
How does this novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Holiday Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Holiday Fiction — The plot centers around Christmas and its associated themes.
Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, reflecting the period's customs and social norms.
Literary Fiction — The writing style and character development are indicative of literary fiction.
Romance — There are elements of romantic relationships within the narrative.