Seventoes' Ghost by Mary E. Wilkins
A young boy named Benjamin Wellman is deeply attached to a puppy he has acquired, named Caesar. However, his grandfather, who has a strong preference for cats, particularly a beloved cat named Seventoes, adamantly refuses to allow Benjamin to keep the dog. Despite Benjamin's pleas and his mother's support, the grandfather's decision stands firm, leading Benjamin to reluctantly give the puppy away to a friend, Sammy Tucker. As Benjamin walks home, he feels a mix of disappointment and resentment, especially towards Seventoes, whom he perceives as a rival for his grandfather's affection. In a moment of frustration, he impulsively pushes Seventoes into an old well, believing he has harmed the cat. Overcome with guilt and fear, he runs home to confess, claiming that Seventoes is both in the well and on the shed roof, which he believes to be the cat's ghost. His family reacts with alarm, and as they rush to investigate, Seventoes miraculously appears unharmed, having escaped the well. The incident serves as a harsh lesson for Benjamin about the consequences of his actions and the importance of responsibility. His grandfather, though relieved, warns him about the severity of his behavior, while Benjamin's mother emphasizes the gravity of his actions. In the aftermath, Benjamin is left to reflect on his behavior, feeling remorseful and determined to be better. He takes care of Seventoes, showing his commitment to being a good boy moving forward. The story concludes with a sense of reconciliation and the promise of growth, as Benjamin learns to navigate his emotions and relationships with both his grandfather and the animals he cares for.
By Mary E. Wilkins · First published 1896 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Children's Literature · 3,311 words
First lines
"You needn't waste any more time talkin' about it, Benjamin; you can jest take that puppy-dog and carry him off. I don't care what you do with him; you can carry him back where you got him, or give him away, or swap him off; but jest as sure as you leave him here half an hour longer, I'll call Jimmy up from the hay-field and have him shoot him. I won't have a dog round the place, nohow. Couldn't keep Seventoes a minute; he's dreadful scart of dogs."
"Grandsir -- "
What this Textopian page supports
Seventoes' Ghost is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary E. Wilkins, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary E. Wilkins
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Children's Literature, Realism, Humor
- Length: 3,311 words
- Structure: 1 section, 61 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Seventoes' Ghost by Mary E. Wilkins
- 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
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The story explores complex themes of childhood, guilt, and familial relationships, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist, Benjamin, experiences emotional growth and moral lessons typical of coming-of-age narratives.
- Children's Literature — The story is aimed at a younger audience, featuring a child protagonist and themes relatable to children.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of rural life and childhood experiences.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Supernatural · Mystery · Thriller · Horror · Small Town · Isolation · Paranormal Activity · Ghost Story · Family Secrets · Dark Past · Trauma