: An early American humor piece detailing the mishaps of a Frenchman caught in land speculation.

: A hilarious, quirky tale featuring a lovable and highly specialized protagonist. Modern & Contemporary: Wry, Surreal, and Dark

Funny Short Stories For Adults. In this section I am going to list a few short stories that are accessible online for a good bite- Best of Quirky

: A courtroom comedy featuring Harte’s recurring character, a flamboyantly legalistic Southern colonel.

: A sharp social satire of pretension and high-society manners in the 1840s.

: A masterclass in the ironic twist, following a down-on-his-luck actor and a proud Southern major.

: A whimsical story about a pair of glasses that allow the wearer to see people’s true characters.

: A rare comedic foray for the master of macabre, featuring a bizarre being made of kegs and bottles who torments a skeptic.