The Wards of Fortune
The Wards of Fortune is a novel by Gelett Burgess that follows the lives of three young men who are wards of an eccentric millionaire. The story explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the pursuit of happiness in a changing world.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1906 · Genre: Adventure, Crime, Humor · 6,357 words
First lines
Soothed by the drone of the Retired Car Conductor's narrative, and wearied out with the continuous performance of the night's adventures, the Harvard Freshman fell asleep on the wooden bench in his cell at the Tanks; and it was not until a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder that he awoke. A bluff policeman was standing over him.
"Your order for release has come, and you can go now! You and your pardner was asleep, and I clean forgot you."
What this Textopian page supports
The Wards of Fortune is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Crime, Humor, Drama, Satire
- Length: 6,357 words
- Structure: 1 section, 98 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wards of Fortune 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 Wards of Fortune?
- How does this short story by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative follows characters through a series of escapades and schemes, involving elements of risk and excitement.
- Crime — The plot revolves around illegal activities, including conspiracy, smuggling, and gambling.
- Humor — The writing style includes witty dialogue and humorous situations, particularly through the character of the Freshman.
- Drama — The story explores themes of deception, betrayal, and personal conflict, adding emotional depth.
Tags
adventure · fantasy · mystery · romance · historical · fiction · coming-of-age · social commentary · family dynamics · wealth · class struggle · friendship