A Mountain Storm
Two brothers, Thad and Ben, engage in a heated argument over a filly as Thad seeks to ride to their father, who is drunk and in danger of being arrested due to a nearby moonshine still. Thad is anxious to warn their father about a potential raid by revenue officers. Despite Ben's skepticism, Thad decides to take the filly and sets off down the mountain. As he descends, a storm brews, and a sudden lightning strike causes him to fall into a sinkhole, leaving him trapped in darkness. Thad struggles to comprehend his situation, feeling isolated and frightened. He recalls the dangers of the storm and worries about his father's fate. Meanwhile, Ben, unaware of Thad's predicament, is concerned about the filly and their father's drinking. As the storm intensifies, Ben's mother expresses worry about Thad's late return, while their grandfather recounts ominous events from the past that occurred on the same night. The tension escalates when strange noises come from the shed-room, leading the children to believe something sinister is happening. The commotion turns out to be the filly, who had escaped from the barn and sought refuge in the house. Ben, realizing Thad is still missing, decides to search for him, feeling guilty for their earlier fight. As Ben rides to the still-house, he hears Thad's cries for help from the sinkhole. With the assistance of moonshiners, he rescues Thad, who is cold and exhausted but alive. The brothers share a moment of unspoken understanding and forgiveness, acknowledging their bond despite their earlier quarrel. They return home together, relieved to have escaped the dangers of the storm and their father's reckless behavior. The experience deepens their relationship, highlighting themes of family loyalty, the consequences of conflict, and the unpredictability of life in the mountains.
By Mary Noailles Murfree · First published 1890 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Regional Fiction, Adventure · 4,119 words
First lines
"Ef the filly war bridle-wise" --
"The filly _air_ bridle-wise."
What this Textopian page supports
A Mountain Storm is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mary Noailles Murfree, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Mary Noailles Murfree
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Regional Fiction, Adventure, Coming-of-Age, Drama
- Length: 4,119 words
- Structure: 1 section, 81 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Mountain Storm by Mary Noailles Murfree
- 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 A Mountain Storm?
- How does this novel by Mary Noailles Murfree fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes of family dynamics, personal conflict, and moral dilemmas, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Regional Fiction — The setting in the mountains and the depiction of local culture and dialect highlight the regional aspects of the narrative.
- Adventure — The plot involves a physical journey and the protagonist's struggle against natural elements, fitting the adventure genre.
- Coming-of-Age — The story centers on the growth and emotional development of the young characters, particularly Thad and Ben.
Tags
Mountainous terrain · Storms · Nature · Survival · Isolation · Human vs Nature · Conflict · Adventure · Exploration · Wilderness · Turbulent weather · Dramatic setting