The Trippertrots in a Trolley Car
The story follows the Trippertrot children—Tommy, Johnny, and Mary—as they embark on an unintended adventure. Initially, they chase after a pink cow belonging to Mr. Jones, which leads them to board a train without tickets. The conductor, puzzled by their lack of tickets, decides to help them by dropping them off at the next station. A kind old lady, who recognizes the children from a previous encounter, offers them food and assistance. Once off the train, the children find themselves at a small, isolated station. A trolley car arrives, and the conductor recognizes them as the Trippertrots, promising to take them home. The trolley car ride is filled with quirky characters, including a tall, sleepy boy who is humorously hung across a strap by the conductor. Eventually, the trolley car stops in front of the Trippertrot home, and the children return safely, relieved and happy to be back.
By Howard R. Garis · First published 1912 · Genre: Children's Literature, Humor, Adventure · 2,283 words
First lines
"Oh, this is fine! " cried Tommy, after they had ridden some distance.
"It's the best yet," said Johnny. "I like this kind of running away!"
Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative style, language, and themes are tailored for a young audience, focusing on playful misadventures.
- Humor — The story relies on comedic situations, absurd dialogue, and whimsical scenarios to engage readers.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey with unexpected twists and challenges, characteristic of an adventure narrative.
- Whimsical Fiction — Unconventional elements like a train that 'takes' children home and a pink cow contribute to a quirky, imaginative tone.
Tags
children's literature · humor · adventure · whimsy · trolley · transportation · vintage · satirical · comical · imaginative · quirky · childhood
What this Textopian page supports
The Trippertrots in a Trolley Car is listed on Textopian as a short story by Howard R. Garis, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Howard R. Garis
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Humor, Adventure, Whimsical Fiction, Railroad Fiction
- Length: 2,283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 65 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trippertrots in a Trolley Car by Howard R. Garis
- 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
More by Howard R. Garis
- The Second Adventures of Uncle Wiggily (1914)
- Uncle Wiggily on the Farm (1903)
- Uncle Wiggily's Silk Hat (1923)
- Uncle Wiggily's Fishing Trip (1902)
- Uncle Wiggily's Rolling Hoop (1918)
- Uncle Wiggily and Baby Bunty (1918)
- Uncle Wiggily and Bunty's Skates (1902)
- Uncle Wiggily and Bunty's Ride (1918)
- All works by Howard R. Garis