The Harvard Freshman's Adventure: the Forty Pana
The narrative follows James Wiswell Coffin, a Harvard freshman, who embarks on a whimsical adventure in San Francisco. After a philosophical epiphany about luck and gambling, he decides to test his fortune with a dime at a cigar shop, where he wins a box of forty Panatelas. Encouraged by a stranger, he wagers that he can smoke all forty cigars in one sitting. The story unfolds as Coffin, along with the stranger and a cigar clerk, engages in a series of humorous and reckless escapades, including a bet that leads him to smoke excessively. As the night progresses, Coffin's bravado is tested, and he struggles with the consequences of his overindulgence. The narrative intersperses his journey with the stranger's tales, including a poignant story about a Klondyker's love and fortune in the Yukon. Ultimately, Coffin's adventure culminates in a chaotic encounter with the law during a lottery draw in Chinatown, leading to his arrest. The story explores themes of youth, folly, and the unpredictable nature of luck, all while maintaining a light-hearted tone. Through Coffin's experiences, the narrative reflects on the exuberance and recklessness of youth, as well as the inevitable lessons learned from such escapades.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1894 · Genre: Adventure, Humor, Coming-of-Age · 13,926 words
First lines
James Wiswell Coffin, 3d, was the first of the three adventurers to leave the restaurant, and as he turned up Kearney Street he had a new but fully fledged philosophy buzzing in his brain. Enlightenment had come in a hint dropped by Coffee John himself. It took a Harvard man and a Bostonian of Puritan stock to hatch that chick of thought, but, by the time the coffee was finished, the mental egg broke and an idea burst upon him. It was this:
What this Textopian page supports
The Harvard Freshman's Adventure: the Forty Panatelas is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gelett Burgess, 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: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Humor, Coming-of-Age, College Life, Satire
- Length: 13,926 words
- Structure: 1 section, 163 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Harvard Freshman's Adventure: the Forty Panatelas by Gelett Burgess
- 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 The Harvard Freshman's Adventure: the Forty Panatelas?
- How does this novel by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Mr Midshipman Easy by Frederick Marryat
- Stealing Rides by Gelett Burgess
- The Lazy Tour Of Two Idle Apprentices by Charles Dickens
- The Bushers Kid by Ring Lardner
- Son Of A Fool by C. J. Dennis
- The Parrot by Gouverneur Morris
Genres
- Adventure — The plot centers around a young protagonist embarking on a series of exciting and risky experiences.
- Humor — The writing style and narrative tone are light-hearted and intended to amuse the reader.
- Coming-of-Age — The story follows the personal growth and development of a young character transitioning into adulthood.
- College Life — The setting and themes revolve around the experiences and challenges faced by a freshman at a university.
Tags
adventure · college · freshman · humor · coming of age · friendship · literary satire · American literature · 19th century · campus life · social commentary · youth