The House of Seven Gables

House of the Seven Gables is written in the flowery prose common in the mid 19th century. The story deals with a house that has been in the home of the Pyncheon family for some time. However, it was originally obtained by not so good means. (Somebody was accused of witchcraft, and then their property was taken.) Alas, since then, the house has been "cursed". One of the current residents opens up a store. There is also a resident that is in poor health - however, he is rumored to know the source of a vast wealth sought after by a relative (a judge.) The Judge dies and it turns out there is an "indian dead" that is now worthless.
It brings about an interesting point about wealth. If somebody has accumulated a vast amount of wealth and nobody else knows about it, what happens? It may be something that the owner could call upon. However, the people currently working with it would probably just continue on their lives with it as is. It probably wouldn't do anybody else any good.
The book itself has stood the test of time. It has served as an influence for other writers and genres (alas, not ones that I have a particular fondness.)