Spider Tong by Perley Poore Sheehan
Tong, a Chinese-American boy, is the son of a laundryman in San Francisco's Chinatown. He is a bright and curious boy, but his parents are too busy to give him the attention he needs. He is often left to his own devices, and he finds solace in the company of his pet tarantula, Spider Tong. When Tong's parents are arrested and sent to prison, he is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in the city. His aunt and uncle are strict and traditional, and Tong is not allowed to keep Spider Tong with him. He is determined to find a way to keep his beloved pet, and he embarks on a journey to reunite with Spider Tong. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, including a mysterious old man who helps him on his quest. Tong's journey is filled with adventure and danger, and he must rely on his wits and courage to survive. In the end, he discovers the true meaning of family and friendship, and learns to appreciate the importance of loyalty and love.
By Perley Poore Sheehan · First published 1919 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy · 10 chapters · 8,031 words
First lines
IT WAS while he was still far back in the Gorge of the Grasping Fist passes leading from China into Tibet--that Captain Trouble first heard of the Spider Tong. The man who told him about it was a Chinese gentleman named Mr. Wang. An elderly gentleman dressed in a long coat of gray silk, with purple-black silk trousers neatly tied at the ankles over spotless white socks. Then the long hair, one of the old queue, and a mandarin cap. "A tsung-ping," the captain remarked to himself-- meaning a "red button." It took nerve on the part of a Chinaman nowadays to wear the regalia of the old empire, no matter where he was.
What this Textopian page supports
Spider Tong is listed on Textopian as a novel by Perley Poore Sheehan, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Perley Poore Sheehan
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller, Science Fiction
- Length: 8,031 words
- Structure: 10 chapters, 286 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Spider Tong by Perley Poore Sheehan
- 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 Spider Tong?
- How does this novel by Perley Poore Sheehan fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Green Shiver by Perley Poore Sheehan
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- The Brown Hand by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Spectre Hand by Anonymous
- The Ghost Walker by Edgar Wallace
Genres
- Horror — The title 'Spider Tong' implies a sense of dread and fear, which is a common element of horror stories.
- Mystery — Mystery stories often involve suspense and intrigue, which could be present in a story with the title 'Spider Tong'.
- Fantasy — Fantasy stories often involve mythical creatures and magical elements, which could be present in a story with the title 'Spider Tong'.
- Thriller — Thrillers often involve suspense and tension, which could be present in a story with the title 'Spider Tong'.
Tags
mystery · thriller · suspense · crime · detective · noir · fiction · adventure · psychological · dark · literary · historical
Contents
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10