Gallegher: a Newspaper Story
The narrative follows a young office boy named Gallegher, who works at a newspaper in Philadelphia. Unlike previous office boys, Gallegher is resourceful, street-smart, and possesses a keen interest in crime. He has a knack for entertaining the newspaper staff with his antics and has developed a unique ability to gather information about criminals, making him an invaluable asset to the paper. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a high-profile murder case involving Richard F. Burrbank, a wealthy railroad lawyer found dead under suspicious circumstances. The prime suspect, Stephen S. Hade, has gone missing, and the police are under pressure to locate him. Gallegher, with his street knowledge and connections, believes he can help find Hade. During a discussion among the newspaper staff about the case, Gallegher confidently asserts that Hade will likely disguise himself as a gentleman to avoid detection. He proposes a plan to identify Hade by looking for a man wearing gloves, as Hade has a missing finger that he would need to conceal. Gallegher's insights impress the city editor, but he is dismissed from the office for being late too often. Despite this setback, Gallegher encounters a detective named Hefflefinger, who is in Philadelphia searching for a burglar. Gallegher seizes the opportunity to impress Hefflefinger and offers to help him locate Hade. He follows a suspicious man he believes to be Hade to a local inn, where he learns about an underground boxing match scheduled for that night. Gallegher sends a telegram to Hefflefinger, alerting him to Hade's whereabouts and suggesting that he will attend the fight. The sporting editor of the newspaper, impressed by Gallegher's initiative, decides to accompany him to the fight, where they plan to capture Hade. As the fight unfolds, Gallegher and Hefflefinger hide in the barn where the match takes place. The atmosphere is charged with excitement as the crowd gathers, and Gallegher anxiously awaits the arrival of Hade. When Hade finally appears, Hefflefinger prepares to make the arrest, but chaos ensues when the police raid the event. In the ensuing panic, Hefflefinger successfully apprehends Hade, but Gallegher faces his own challenges. He must escape the police and make it back to the newspaper office with the story before the deadline. In a desperate bid, he steals a cab and races through the streets, narrowly avoiding capture by the police. Despite the obstacles, Gallegher arrives at the newspaper office just in time, delivering the story and securing his place at the paper. The managing editor, impressed by Gallegher's determination and resourcefulness, decides to keep him on staff, recognizing his potential. The story concludes with Gallegher reflecting on his adventure, having proven himself as a capable and valuable member of the newspaper team. His journey from a mere office boy to a key player in a major criminal case highlights themes of ambition, resourcefulness, and the pursuit of justice.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1890 · Genre: Crime Fiction, Adventure, Literary Fiction · 13,224 words
First lines
We had had so many office-boys before Gallegher came among us that they had begun to lose the characteristics of individuals, and became merged in a composite photograph of small boys, to whom we applied the generic title of "Here, you"; or "You, boy."
We had had sleepy boys, and lazy boys, and bright, "smart" boys, who became so familiar on so short an acquaintance that we were forced to part with them to save our own self-respect.
What this Textopian page supports
Gallegher: a Newspaper Story is listed on Textopian as a novel by Richard Harding Davis, 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: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Crime Fiction, Adventure, Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Humor
- Length: 13,224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 228 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Gallegher: a Newspaper Story by Richard Harding Davis
- 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 Gallegher: a Newspaper Story?
- How does this novel by Richard Harding Davis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Crime Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Crime Fiction — The plot revolves around crime investigation and the pursuit of a murderer, highlighting themes of criminality and justice.
- Adventure — The protagonist, Gallegher, embarks on a thrilling adventure to locate a fugitive, showcasing elements of excitement and risk.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deeper themes of youth, societal roles, and the complexities of morality, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Coming-of-Age — Gallegher's experiences reflect his growth and maturity as he navigates challenges and responsibilities.
Tags
Newspaper Fiction · American Literature · Short Story · Journalism · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Late 19th Century · Urban Life · Working Class · Labor Movement · Industrialization