Paste Jewels is a collection of humorous short stories following the Perkins family — particularly newlyweds Thaddeus and Bessie — as they navigate the comic trials of managing a household and domestic staff in late 19th-century America. The book's seven tales include 'The Emancipation of Thaddeus,' 'Mr. Bradley's Jewel,' 'Unexpected Pomp at the Perkins's,' 'An Object-Lesson,' 'The Christmas Gift of Thaddeus,' 'A Strange Banquet,' and 'Jane.'
With a distinctly satirical eye, Bangs examines the everyday lives and societal quirks of his time, crafting tales that are both witty and insightful — a window into a bygone era that explores social dynamics with a lighthearted yet pointed critique.
John Kendrick Bangs (1862–1922) was an American author, editor, and satirist who served as humor editor for Harper's Weekly, Harper's Bazaar, and Harper's Young People, and later as editor of Puck, the foremost American humor magazine of its day. His light-hearted approach to social commentary resonated deeply with audiences, making him one of the most popular humorists of the Gilded Age.
Paste Jewels was first published in 1897 by Harper & Brothers and is now in the public domain.