The One-Hoss-Shay, How the Old Horse Won the Bet, & The Broomstick Train

by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

A one-horse shay is a light, covered, two-wheeled carriage for two persons, drawn by a single horse. Frustrated at the frequent breakdowns of his shay, the fictional deacon in this poem built this wonderful, and perfect, one-horse shay from the very best

Genres: Poetry, Humor, 19th Century

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1858

About the author

American physician Oliver Wendell Holmes, Senior, a professor of anatomy and physiology at Harvard from 1847 to 1882 and father of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Junior, wrote humorous conversational pieces, including The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (1858).

This professional nevertheless achieved fame, regard, and knowledge among the best poets of the 19th century. Holmes nevertheless wrote numerous medical treatises, essays, novels, memoirs, and table-talk books.

Reviews

[Duke Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent pen and ink illustrations by the master Howard Pyle.

[Rob Toscano · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read the 1905 edition with colored Howard Pyle illustrations. If you have ever had a car die on you right where you needed it to, then this is the story for you. This edition was colored by Mr. Pyle. I originally downloaded this set of three poems electronically, then purchased it when I found it sitting on a Childrens shelf. The third poem is The Broomstick Train or The Return of the WITCHES.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don’t have to be a lover of poetry to appreciate these poems. The wit and satire of the author shines through all three, but the first is probably the best known. If you’ve had a car that ran perfectly for years, then seemed to become one big problem, you will really appreciate the One Hoss Shay.

[Cilla Savary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is two lengthy poems. One about a 'shay' that was built to last. That poem ends with a horse race with the horse who has been pulling that shay. The second poem is about all the witches in hell being released back on earth without the permission of Satan.