Jack and the Check Book

by John Kendrick Bangs

Overview

Mr. Bangs turns his light and ingenious fancy to the task of retelling the familiar fairy tales of our youthful days. In several of them it is Wall Street that replaces the land of "Never-Never" and "Once Upon a Time," and the personages in the drama are more interested in high finance than in fairy treasures. It is all admirable fooling, and done in the author's best vein.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783985319497
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	03/09/2022
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	86
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

John Kendrick Bangs (1862-1922) was an American author and satirist whose wit and humor left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Yonkers, New York, Bangs was a prolific writer who contributed to the development of the "Bangsian fantasy" genre, a sub-genre of fantasy literature involving famous historical figures in the afterlife. His imaginative narratives and clever satire captivated readers and influenced contemporary writers, including P.G. Wodehouse and Mark Twain.Bangs began his career as an editor for various magazines, including *Life* and *Harper's Weekly*, where his sharp editorial eye and humorous style gained him a loyal readership. His work often parodied the social and political issues of his time, using humor to critique and reflect on the human condition. This approach resonated with readers who were navigating the complexities of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.Despite his popularity, Bangs was not without controversy. His satirical take on revered figures and institutions sometimes drew the ire of critics who felt he was too irreverent. Nevertheless, his fearless approach to writing and his ability to blend humor with social commentary earned him a lasting place in American literary history.Bangs was also a pioneer in the use of serialized storytelling, a technique that kept readers eagerly anticipating the next installment of his works. His innovative style and willingness to push the boundaries of conventional literature paved the way for future generations of writers who sought to blend humor with deeper societal insights.John Kendrick Bangs remains a fascinating figure for modern readers, not only for his literary contributions but also for his ability to use humor as a lens through which to view and critique the world. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of satire and the enduring appeal of a well-told story.
John Kendrick Bangs (May 27, 1862 – January 21, 1922) was an American author, humorist, editor and satirist.

Read an Excerpt

II THE GREAT WISH SYNDICATE HE farm had gone to ruin. On every side the pastures were filled with a rank growth of thistles and other thorn - bearing flora. The farm buildings had fallen into a condition of hopeless disrepair, and the old house, the ancestral home of the Wilbrahams, had become a place of appalling desolation. The roof had been patched and repatched for decades, and now fulfilled none of the ideals of its roof- hood save that of antiquity. There was not, as far as the eye could see, a single whole pane of glass in any one of the many windows of the mansion, and there were not wanting those in the community who were willing to prophesy that in a stiff galesuch as used to be prevalent in that section of the world, and within the recollection of some of the old settlers toothe chimneys, once the pride of the county, would totter and fall, bringing the whole mansion down into chaos and ruin. In short, the one-time model farm of the Wilbrahams had become a byword and a jest and, as some said, of no earthly use save for the particular purposes of the eccentric artist in search of picturesque subject-matter for his studies in oil. It was a wild night, and within the ancient house sat the owner, Richard Wilbraham, his wife not far away, trying to find room upon her husband's last remaining pair of socks to dam them. Wilbraham gazed silently into the glowing embers on the hearth before them, the stillness of the evening broken only by the hissing of the logs on the andirons and an occasional sigh from one of the watchers. Finally the woman spoke. "When does the mortgage fall due, Richard?" she asked, moving uneasily in her chair. "To-morrow," gulped the man, the word seemingto catch in his throat and choke him. "And youyou are sure Colonel Digby wil...