Vera, the Medium
The narrative unfolds around Stephen Hallowell, a wealthy but aging businessman, who is nearing death and grappling with the legacy he will leave behind. Once a powerful figure in the stock market, Hallowell now finds himself isolated in his mansion, surrounded only by his physician, Dr. Rainey, and his butler, Garrett. The story begins with a sensational newspaper article announcing Hallowell's imminent demise, which fails to stir much public interest, reflecting his decline in relevance. Hallowell's lawyer, Judge Gaylor, urges him to sell his property and move, but Hallowell refuses, clinging to the home he built in his prime. The plot thickens when a new reporter, Homer Lee, arrives and suggests that Hallowell has fallen under the influence of spiritualists, which Gaylor vehemently denies. However, it is revealed that Hallowell has indeed been consulting mediums, including a young woman named Vera, who has a mysterious connection to the spiritual world. As the story progresses, Hallowell's niece, Helen Coates, enters the scene, seeking to claim her inheritance. She believes that Hallowell's wealth should be rightfully hers, as it is tied to a family agreement regarding profits from a patent. Tensions rise as Helen confronts Hallowell about his intentions to leave his fortune to a charitable institute instead of her. Vera, the medium, becomes a pivotal character as she is drawn into the conflict between Hallowell and his niece. She is portrayed as both a victim of circumstance and a manipulator of the spiritualist world. The narrative explores themes of greed, deception, and the quest for truth, as Vera grapples with her own identity and the morality of her profession. The climax occurs during a planned séance at Hallowell's home, where Vera is to summon the spirit of Hallowell's deceased sister, Catherine. The atmosphere is charged with tension as various characters, including Gaylor, Rainey, and the skeptical reporter Lee, gather to witness the event. Hallowell's desperation for a connection to his sister and the truth about his legacy drives the narrative forward. As the séance unfolds, Vera's performance takes a dramatic turn. Instead of channeling Catherine, she reveals her own struggles and the truth about her life, leading to a moment of reckoning for Hallowell. The confrontation exposes the manipulations at play and forces Hallowell to confront his own choices regarding his wealth and legacy. In the end, Vera's honesty and vulnerability resonate with Hallowell, prompting him to reconsider his decisions. The story concludes with a sense of redemption as Vera and Hallowell find a moment of connection, suggesting that truth and authenticity can emerge even in the most deceptive of circumstances. The narrative ultimately critiques the spiritualist movement while exploring the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in life and death.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1900 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Romance · 3 chapters · 40,835 words
First lines
Happy in the hope that the news was "exclusive", the Despatch had thrown the name of Stephen Hallowell, his portrait, a picture of his house, and the words, "At Point of Death! " across three columns. The announcement was heavy, lachrymose, bristling with the melancholy self-importance of the man who "saw the deceased, just two minutes before the train hit him."
But the effect of the news fell short of the effort. Save that city editors were irritated that the presidents of certain railroads figured hastily on slips of paper, the fact that an old man and his millions would soon be parted, left New York undisturbed.
What this Textopian page supports
Vera, the Medium is listed on Textopian as a novel by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1900 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: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Drama, Romance, Mystery, Supernatural
- Length: 40,835 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 1,039 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Vera, the Medium 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
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fiction — The book is a work of fiction, presenting a narrative that is not based on real events.
- Drama — The plot involves intense character interactions and emotional conflicts, typical of dramatic literature.
- Romance — Themes of love and relationships are central to the story, aligning it with the romance genre.
- Mystery — Elements of intrigue and the unknown are present, contributing to a sense of mystery in the narrative.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Mystery · Thriller · Psychological Thriller · Paranormal Mystery · Ghost Story · Spiritualism · Occult · Mediumship · Psychic Ability · Feminist Themes · Victorian Era