Old Ebenezer

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23215

Title

Old Ebenezer

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the sleepy town of Old Ebenezer, this collection follows Sam Lyman, a weary Vermont Yankee who abandons teaching to study law. Blending humor, romance, and social commentary, the stories explore themes of ambition, class, and redemption against a backdrop of rural life and small-town gossip.

Summary up to 500 words

Opie Percival Read's *Old Ebenezer* offers a warm, humorous, and morally complex portrait of Southern life in the late 19th century, centered on Sam Lyman, a former Vermont schoolteacher who settles in the sleepy town of Old Ebenezer. Initially content with his quiet existence, Lyman soon feels the pull of broader horizons. Observing his law books, the townspeople deduce he is studying to become a lawyer. He soon partners with John Caruthers, a seasoned but financially struggling advocate, to open a modest law practice in a brick building that shares rent with the town's often underfunded newspaper. The narrative weaves through vignettes involving Lyman's interactions with eccentric locals, including the gossipy Buckley Lightfoot and the ambitious editor Warren. A central thread involves Lyman's relationship with Eva McElwin, the daughter of a wealthy banker. Initially opposed by her father due to Lyman's humble background and a past scandal involving Lyman and Eva's friend Nancy, the situation evolves dramatically. McElwin eventually seeks a divorce for Eva, only to realize his own mistakes and the depth of Eva's love for Lyman. In a poignant conclusion, McElwin tears up the divorce petition, choosing to reconcile with his wife and accept Lyman as his son-in-law. The work captures the warmth, humor, and moral complexities of Southern life, illustrating how love and character ultimately triumph over social prejudice and financial status. Through Lyman's journey from a weary teacher to a respected lawyer and beloved son-in-law, Read explores themes of redemption, the nature of true gentility, and the transformative power of genuine affection.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23215.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg23215.epub

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Categories

• Fiction