Muffles -- the Bar-Keep
Muffles -- the Bar-Keep is a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the story of Muffles, a bartender in New York City during the late 19th century. The book follows Muffles as he navigates his way through the city's social and political landscape while trying to maintain his own sense of integrity and honor. Along the way, he encounters a cast of colorful characters, including politicians, businessmen, and other members of high society. Despite its somewhat dated setting, Muffles -- the Bar-Keep remains an engaging and thought-provoking read that offers insight into the human condition and the complexities of life in a big city.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1897 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure · 3 chapters · 5,694 words
First lines
My friend Muffles has had a varied career. Muffles is not his baptismal name -- if he were ever baptized, which I doubt. The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, and the brewer -- especially the brewer -- knew him as Mr. Richard Mulford, proprietor of the Shady Side on the Bronx -- and his associates as Dick. Only his intimates knew him as Muffles. I am one of his intimates. This last sobriquet he earned as a boy among his fellow wharf-rats, by reason of an extreme lightness of foot attended by an equally noiseless step, particularly noticeable when escaping from some guardian of the peace who had suddenly detected him raiding an apple-stand not his own, or in depleting a heap of peanuts the property of some gentleman of foreign birth, or in making off with a just-emptied ash-barrel -- Muffles did the emptying -- on the eve of an election.
What this Textopian page supports
Muffles -- the Bar-Keep is listed on Textopian as a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure, Literary Fiction, Romance
- Length: 5,694 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 85 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Muffles -- the Bar-Keep 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Muffles -- the Bar-Keep?
- How does this short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical period with detailed descriptions of the time.
- Drama — Focuses on intense character development and emotional themes.
- Adventure — Includes elements of journey and exploration.
- Literary Fiction — Emphasizes stylistic writing and complex characters.
Tags
bar-keep · fiction · humor · drama · 19th century · American literature · character study · social commentary · pub culture · friendship · community · narrative