Odd Charges by W. W. Jacobs (1843)
Odd Charges is a collection of short stories by W. W. Jacobs, first published in 1904. The stories are set in the fictional town of Wrykyn, and feature a variety of characters, from schoolboys to shopkeepers. The stories explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and justice, as well as the consequences of dishonesty and deceit. In one story, a schoolboy is accused of stealing a watch, and must prove his innocence; in another, a shopkeeper is tricked into buying a worthless item; and in a third, a young man is accused of a crime he did not commit. The stories are humorous and entertaining, and provide a glimpse into the lives of the people of Wrykyn. They are a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity, and the consequences of dishonesty and deceit.
By W. W. Jacobs · First published 1843 · Genre: Humor, Short Story, Mystery · 4,498 words
First lines
Seated at his ease in the warm tap-room of the Cauliflower, the stranger had been eating and drinking for some time, apparently unconscious of the presence of the withered ancient who, huddled up in that corner of the settle which was nearer to the fire, fidgeted restlessly with an empty mug and blew with pathetic insistence through a churchwarden pipe which had long been cold. The stranger finished his meal with a sigh of content and then, rising from his chair, crossed over to the settle and, placing his mug on the time-worn table before him, began to fill his pipe.
What this Textopian page supports
Odd Charges is listed on Textopian as a novel by W. W. Jacobs, dated 1843 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: W. W. Jacobs
- Date: 1843 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Short Story, Mystery, Fantasy
- Length: 4,498 words
- Structure: 1 section, 136 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Odd Charges by W. W. Jacobs
- 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 Odd Charges?
- How does this novel by W. W. Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Matrimonial Openings by W. W. Jacobs
- Striking Hard by W. W. Jacobs
- Tales Mr Minns And His Cousin by Charles Dickens
- Stepping Backwards by W. W. Jacobs
- The Man Who Disliked Cats by P. G. Wodehouse
- The Rummy Affair Of Old Biffy by P. G. Wodehouse
Genres
- Humor — The book is written by W. W. Jacobs, who is known for his humorous stories and writing style.
- Short Story — The book is a collection of short stories, each with its own unique plot and characters.
- Mystery — The stories in the book often involve mysterious events and characters, and the reader is left to figure out the truth.
- Fantasy — Some of the stories in the book involve elements of fantasy, such as talking animals and magical creatures.
Tags
humor · short stories · British literature · 19th century · fiction · satire · character study · quirky characters · social commentary · irony · dialogue · everyday life