Bradshaw's Little Story
The story revolves around Frederick Wackerbath Bradshaw, a cunning and unscrupulous student who consistently cheats his way through school. He is known for his ability to swindle under the master's eye, and his talent for reducing cribbing in form to an exact science. Bradshaw's latest scheme involves cheating on the Euripides examination by reading the paper from Yorke's room before the exam. He tells Mellish that he did as badly as he could in the exam because he didn't want to take an unfair advantage, but Mellish is not fooled and reports Bradshaw to the Headmaster. The Headmaster confronts Bradshaw with evidence of his lies, and Bradshaw is forced to admit the truth. However, he shifts the blame onto another student, accusing him of being responsible for his downfall by telling him that Yorke was setting the paper when in fact it was the Headmaster himself. Throughout the story, Bradshaw's cunning and ability to talk his way out of trouble are on full display. He is able to convince Mellish and others that he is innocent, but ultimately gets caught and punished for his actions.
By P. G. Wodehouse · First published 1902 · Genre: Fiction, Humor, Short Stories · 2,661 words
First lines
The qualities which in later years rendered Frederick Wackerbath Bradshaw so conspicuous a figure in connection with the now celebrated affair of the European, African, and Asiatic Pork Pie and Ham Sandwich Supply Company frauds, were sufficiently in evidence during his school career to make his masters prophesy gloomily concerning his future. The boy was in every detail the father of the man. There was the same genial unscrupulousness, upon which the judge commented so bitterly during the trial, the same readiness to seize an opportunity and make the most of it, the same brilliance of tactics. Only once during those years can I remember an occasion on which Justice scored a point against him. I can remember it, because I was in a sense responsible for his failure. And he can remember it, I should be inclined to think, for other reasons.
What this Textopian page supports
Bradshaw's Little Story is listed on Textopian as a short story by P. G. Wodehouse, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: P. G. Wodehouse
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Humor, Short Stories
- Length: 2,661 words
- Structure: 1 section, 68 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bradshaw's Little Story by P. G. Wodehouse
- 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 Bradshaw's Little Story?
- How does this short story by P. G. Wodehouse fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Fiction — As a work of P. G. Wodehouse, this book is a created story, not based on real events or people.
- Humor — P.G Wodehouse’s characteristic writing style is known for its wit and humor, and this book doesn't deviate from that style.
- Short Stories — Given the title, this book appears to be of the short story format.
Tags
humor · comedy · short story · satire · British literature · character-driven · lighthearted · witty · social commentary · romance · quirky characters · narrative style