Delphi Complete Works of O. Henry
Page 257
“The key to the ‘Temple of Knowledge lies within each soul and he who seeks, from the heart, shall find. To knock imperiously will summon the guardians, but to reach the inner chamber it is necessary to enter first into the closet of your own soul.
There, in a neglected corner, will be the golden key. It will be in need of burnishing, perhaps — hidden as it has been all these years, but just a little effort will bring out its brilliancy. Take it in your hands, rever ently, for it is fragile, as well as pure, and place it next to your heart. Keep it there until you can feel the warmth radiating from it, through your entire being. Then, and then only, is it ready for use. for it is then a Master Key and can unlock any door.”
With a sudden exclamation, the book is clasped more closely, and a light of understanding breaks over her face.
“So simple! And I have searched so long! — Just love!”
PART III. — THE REAPING
In the streets flags are waving and banners unfurled to the breeze, while along the edges are eager, strained faces, watching.
With a shout, the cry rings out, ‘They are coming!” and then in the distance is heard the sound of music and the tramping of many feet, all in unison.
Gradually the marchers make their way past the waiting throngs, and as they pass, each head is raised in wonderment, and then reverently bowed, for, arm in arm march the Nations of the World, — all united in a common bond and no longer enemies, for at their head moves a tiny child, carrying in its hands a wee banner, but of mighty import, — for on it in letters of gold is “The Ruler of all the World”
“LOVE”
ACTION-REACTION
ACTION
A VILLAGE nestling among the pines. Only the buzz of insects and hum of bees, together with the accompaniment of rustling branches, breaks the silence.
All is peace and harmony.
Hark!
From afar sounds a discordant blatant note. Nearer it comes, ever growing harsher, until at last, at the end of the street is seen a mounted horseman, with a bugle at his lips. With one final blast he summons all the peaceful souls, who crowd about him. He watches them, as they gather, with an appraising eye, and then with uplifted hand commands silence.
“All men and boys past the age of twelve follow me.
“In the name of the Law you must obey! Come!”
Raising his bugle, once more he shatters the peace of that little hamlet and moves on, followed in silence by all the men and boys over twelve.
No sound but that of moving feet can be heard. No tears, no lamentations from the stricken statues left behind.
The hush of even-tide —
The drone of insects —
The hum of bees —
The swaying of branches,
Thrilled by the breeze —
and silence once more descends upon the street
Furroughed ground —
Booming guns —
Shrieking shells —
Smoke-laden air —
Young, old-men boys, automatons of men, ply their trade at the command “By order of the Law! Obey!”
Daylight passes —
The hues of even-tide caress,
And speak of rest,
but the command rings out:
“Forward! Attack!”
Night comes forth
With gleaming mantle,
And lays it over all that remains —
Furroughed ground!
REACTION
A bugle sounds in a hamlet town, and streaming forth come stricken souls, who with outstretched arms go forth to meet that straggling band which passes through the street — but they pay no heed.
Luminous are their faces, radiant their robes, as they gaze straight ahead, with never a look to the right or the left.
Morning breezes —
Buzz of insects
Hum of bees —
Branches bending
To the breeze.
A VISION
IN the far distant East gleams a light — faint but effulgent, and as I watch it moves slowly, majestically, westward.
Still I gaze, and watch it ever going higher, moving more swiftly, and growing ever brighter and larger.
Still I gaze:
Swifter becomes its movement, more dazzling its light, and lo! from what seemed a speck when I first gazed upon that light, has grown a golden bird with outstretched wings gleaming and sending showers of golden radiance with each movement.
Westward it moves, ever expanding, ever more dazzling, until at last all the face of the world has been showered with the glimmering gold from its wings.
Still I gaze:
High in the heavens is motionless this wonderful golden bird — then, slowly, with scarcely moving pinions it descends, and with a final quiver takes under the shelter of its mighty wings a world of sorrow.
Still I gaze:
No movement, but ever the light increasing and dazzling in brilliancy and beauty.
Still I gaze:
A flutter — an unfolding of the mighty pinions and then a swift flight upwards — ever swifter — ever higher, until at last all sight of its wonder is lost.
Then I gaze where it rested, and behold! a new earth of dazzling gold and everywhere gleaming lights of rainbow tints Then I muse:
And from out of the silence comes a voice:
“Thus will the world appear when Peace has folded it within its wings, and Love shines out from each and every window.”
The Short Stories
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF SHORT STORIES
CABBAGES AND KINGS
THE PROEM BY THE CARPENTER
“FOX-IN-THE-MORNING”
THE LOTUS AND THE BOTTLE
SMITH
CAUGHT
CUPID’S EXILE NUMBER TWO
THE PHONOGRAPH AND THE GRAFT
MONEY MAZE
THE ADMIRAL
THE FLAG PARAMOUNT
THE SHAMROCK AND THE PALM
THE REMNANTS OF THE CODE
SHOES
SHIPS
MASTERS OF ARTS
DICKY
ROUGE ET NOIR
TWO RECALLS
THE VITAGRAPHOSCOPE
THE FOUR MILLION
TOBIN’S PALM
THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
A COSMOPOLITE IN A CAFÉ
BETWEEN ROUNDS
THE SKYLIGHT ROOM
A SERVICE OF LOVE
THE COMING-OUT OF MAGGIE
MAN ABOUT TOWN
THE COP AND THE ANTHEM
AN ADJUSTMENT OF NATURE
MEMOIRS OF A YELLOW DOG
THE LOVE-PHILTRE OF IKEY SCHOENSTEIN
MAMMON AND THE ARCHER
SPRINGTIME À LA CARTE
THE GREEN DOOR
FROM THE CABBY’S SEAT
AN UNFINISHED STORY
THE CALIPH, CUPID AND THE CLOCK
SISTERS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
THE ROMANCE OF A BUSY BROKER
AFTER TWENTY YEARS
LOST ON DRESS PARADE
BY COURIER
THE FURNISHED ROOM
THE BRIEF DÉBUT OF TILDY
THE TRIMMED LAMP
THE TRIMMED LAMP
A MADISON SQUARE ARABIAN NIGHT
THE RUBAIYAT OF A SCOTCH HIGHBALL
THE PENDULUM
TWO THANKSGIVING DAY GENTLEMEN
THE ASSESSOR OF SUCCESS
THE BUYER FROM CACTUS CITY
THE BADGE OF POLICEMAN O’ROON
BRICKDUST ROW
THE MAKING OF A NEW YORKER
VANITY AND SOME SABLES
THE SOCIAL TRIANGLE
THE PURPLE DRESS
THE FOREIGN POLICY OF COMPANY 99
THE LOST BLEND
A HARLEM TRAGEDY
“THE GUILTY PARTY”
ACCORDING TO THEIR LIGHTS
THE LAST LEAF
THE COUNT AND THE WEDDING GUEST
THE COUNTRY OF ELUSION
THE FERRY OF UNFULFI
LMENT
THE TALE OF A TAINTED TENNER
ELSIE IN NEW YORK
HEART OF THE WEST
HEARTS AND CROSSES
THE RANSOM OF MACK
TELEMACHUS, FRIEND
THE HANDBOOK OF HYMEN
THE PIMIENTA PANCAKES
SEATS OF THE HAUGHTY
HYGEIA AT THE SOLITO
AN AFTERNOON MIRACLE
THE HIGHER ABDICATION
CUPID A LA CARTE
THE CABALLERO’S WAY
THE SPHINX APPLE
THE MISSING CHORD
A CALL LOAN
THE PRINCESS AND THE PUMA
THE INDIAN SUMMER OF DRY VALLEY JOHNSON
CHRISTMAS BY INJUNCTION
A CHAPARRAL PRINCE
THE REFORMATION OF CALLIOPE
THE VOICE OF THE CITY
THE VOICE OF THE CITY
THE COMPLETE LIFE OF JOHN HOPKINS
A LICKPENNY LOVER
DOUGHERTY’S EYE-OPENER
“LITTLE SPECK IN GARNERED FRUIT”
THE HARBINGER
WHILE THE AUTO WAITS
A COMEDY IN RUBBER
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS
THE DEFEAT OF THE CITY
THE SHOCKS OF DOOM
THE PLUTONIAN FIRE
NEMESIS AND THE CANDY MAN
SQUARING THE CIRCLE
ROSES, RUSES AND ROMANCE
THE CITY OF DREADFUL NIGHT
THE EASTER OF THE SOUL
THE FOOL-KILLER
TRANSIENTS IN ARCADIA
THE RATHSKELLER AND THE ROSE
THE CLARION CALL
EXTRADITED FROM BOHEMIA
A PHILISTINE IN BOHEMIA
FROM EACH ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY
THE MEMENTO
ROADS OF DESTINY
ROADS OF DESTINY
THE LEFT BRANCH
THE RIGHT BRANCH
THE MAIN ROAD
THE GUARDIAN OF THE ACCOLADE
THE DISCOUNTERS OF MONEY
THE ENCHANTED PROFILE
“NEXT TO READING MATTER”
ART AND THE BRONCO
PHŒBE
A DOUBLE-DYED DECEIVER
THE PASSING OF BLACK EAGLE
A RETRIEVED REFORMATION
CHERCHEZ LA FEMME
FRIENDS IN SAN ROSARIO
THE FOURTH IN SALVADOR
THE EMANCIPATION OF BILLY
THE ENCHANTED KISS
A DEPARTMENTAL CASE
BENTON SHARP MEETS HIS MATCH
THE RENAISSANCE AT CHARLEROI
ON BEHALF OF THE MANAGEMENT
WHISTLING DICK’S CHRISTMAS STOCKING
THE HALBERDIER OF THE LITTLE RHEINSCHLOSS
TWO RENEGADES
THE LONESOME ROAD
OPTIONS
“THE ROSE OF DIXIE”
THE THIRD INGREDIENT
THE HIDING OF BLACK BILL
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLS
THIMBLE, THIMBLE
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
BURIED TREASURE
TO HIM WHO WAITS
HE ALSO SERVES
THE MOMENT OF VICTORY
THE HEAD-HUNTER
NO STORY
THE HIGHER PRAGMATISM
BEST-SELLER
RUS IN URBE
A POOR RULE
STRICTLY BUSINESS
STRICTLY BUSINESS
THE GOLD THAT GLITTERED
BABES IN THE JUNGLE
THE DAY RESURGENT
THE FIFTH WHEEL
THE POET AND THE PEASANT
THE ROBE OF PEACE
THE GIRL AND THE GRAFT
THE CALL OF THE TAME
THE UNKNOWN QUANTITY
THE THING’S THE PLAY
A RAMBLE IN APHASIA
A MUNICIPAL REPORT
PSYCHE AND THE PSKYSCRAPER
A BIRD OF BAGDAD
COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON
A NIGHT IN NEW ARABIA
THE GIRL AND THE HABIT
PROOF OF THE PUDDING
PAST ONE AT ROONEY’S
THE VENTURERS
THE DUEL
“WHAT YOU WANT”
WHIRLIGIGS
THE WORLD AND THE DOOR
THE THEORY AND THE HOUND
THE HYPOTHESES OF FAILURE
CALLOWAY’S CODE
A MATTER OF MEAN ELEVATION
“GIRL”
SOCIOLOGY IN SERGE AND STRAW
THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF
THE MARRY MONTH OF MAY
A TECHNICAL ERROR
SUITE HOMES AND THEIR ROMANCE
THE WHIRLIGIG OF LIFE
A SACRIFICE HIT
THE ROADS WE TAKE
A BLACKJACK BARGAINER
THE SONG AND THE SERGEANT
ONE DOLLAR’S WORTH
A NEWSPAPER STORY
TOMMY’S BURGLAR
A CHAPARRAL CHRISTMAS GIFT
A LITTLE LOCAL COLOUR
GEORGIA’S RULING
BLIND MAN’S HOLIDAY
MADAME BO-PEEP, OF THE RANCHES
THE TWO WOMEN
THE ONE: A FOG IN SANTONE
THE OTHER: A MEDLEY OF MOODS
SIXES AND SEVENS
THE LAST OF THE TROUBADOURS
THE SLEUTHS
WITCHES’ LOAVES
THE PRIDE OF THE CITIES
HOLDING UP A TRAIN
ULYSSES AND THE DOGMAN
THE CHAMPION OF THE WEATHER
MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD KIN
AT ARMS WITH MORPHEUS
A GHOST OF A CHANCE
JIMMY HAYES AND MURIEL
THE DOOR OF UNREST
THE DUPLICITY OF HARGRAVES
LET ME FEEL YOUR PULSE
OCTOBER AND JUNE
THE CHURCH WITH AN OVERSHOT-WHEEL
NEW YORK BY CAMP FIRE LIGHT
THE ADVENTURES OF SHAMROCK JOLNES
THE LADY HIGHER UP
THE GREATER CONEY
LAW AND ORDER
TRANSFORMATION OF MARTIN BURNEY
THE CALIPH AND THE CAD
THE DIAMOND OF KALI
THE DAY WE CELEBRATE
THE GENTLE GRAFTER
THE OCTOPUS MAROONED
JEFF PETERS AS A PERSONAL MAGNET
MODERN RURAL SPORTS
THE CHAIR OF PHILANTHROMATHEMATICS
THE HAND THAT RILES THE WORLD
THE EXACT SCIENCE OF MATRIMONY
A MIDSUMMER MASQUERADE
SHEARING THE WOLF
INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY
CONSCIENCE IN ART
THE MAN HIGHER UP
A TEMPERED WIND
HOSTAGES TO MOMUS
THE ETHICS OF PIG
ROLLING STONES
THE DREAM
A RULER OF MEN
THE ATAVISM OF JOHN TOM LITTLE BEAR
HELPING THE OTHER FELLOW
THE MARIONETTES
THE MARQUIS AND MISS SALLY
A FOG IN SANTONE
THE FRIENDLY CALL
A DINNER AT ––––
SOUND AND FURY
TICTOCQ
TRACKED TO DOOM
A SNAPSHOT AT THE PRESIDENT
AN UNFINISHED CHRISTMAS STORY
THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT
ARISTOCRACY VERSUS HASH
THE PRISONER OF ZEMBLA
A STRANGE STORY
FICKLE FORTUNE OR HOW GLADYS HUSTLED
AN APOLOGY
LORD OAKHURST’S CURSE
BEXAR SCRIP NO. 2692
QUERIES AND ANSWERS
WAIFS AND STRAYS
THE RED ROSES OF TONIA
ROUND THE CIRCLE
THE RUBBER PLANT’S STORY
OUT OF NAZARETH
CONFESSIONS OF A HUMORIST
THE SPARROWS IN MADISON SQUARE
HEARTS AND HANDS
THE CACTUS
THE DETECTIVE DETECTOR
THE DOG AND THE PLAYLET
A LITTLE TALK ABOUT MOBS
THE SNOW MAN
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br /> O HENRYANA
THE CRUCIBLE
A LUNAR EPISODE
THREE PARAGRAPHS
BULGER’S FRIEND
A PROFESSIONAL SECRET
THE ELUSIVE TENDERLOIN
THE STRUGGLE OF THE OUTLIERS
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL by O. Henry’s Ghost
THE BARRAGE FIRE
COMMENTS
OVER THERE
FOREWORD
MY TUSSLE WITH THE DEVIL
THE CONTEST
SLEEPING
YEARNING
ANIMALS
WEARINESS
I. — THE KING
II. — THE TOILER
THE SLAVE
FREEDOM
JEWELS
MULTITUDES
GOING HOME
THE THREE H’S
THE SENSES
FANCIES
TRUSTING
THOUGHTS
THINKING
YESTERDAY-TODAY
PART I. — YESTERDAY
PART II. — TODAY
PART III. — THE REAPING
“LOVE”
ACTION-REACTION
ACTION
REACTION
A VISION
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SHORT STORIES
A BIRD OF BAGDAD
A BLACKJACK BARGAINER
A CALL LOAN
A CHAPARRAL CHRISTMAS GIFT
A CHAPARRAL PRINCE
A COMEDY IN RUBBER
A COSMOPOLITE IN A CAFÉ
A DEPARTMENTAL CASE
A DINNER AT ––––
A DOUBLE-DYED DECEIVER
A FOG IN SANTONE
A GHOST OF A CHANCE
A HARLEM TRAGEDY
A LICKPENNY LOVER
A LITTLE LOCAL COLOUR
A LITTLE TALK ABOUT MOBS
A LUNAR EPISODE
A MADISON SQUARE ARABIAN NIGHT
A MATTER OF MEAN ELEVATION
A MIDSUMMER MASQUERADE
A MUNICIPAL REPORT
A NEWSPAPER STORY
A NIGHT IN NEW ARABIA
A PHILISTINE IN BOHEMIA
A POOR RULE
A PROFESSIONAL SECRET
A RAMBLE IN APHASIA
A RETRIEVED REFORMATION
A RULER OF MEN
A SACRIFICE HIT
A SERVICE OF LOVE
A SNAPSHOT AT THE PRESIDENT
A STRANGE STORY
A TECHNICAL ERROR
A TEMPERED WIND
ACCORDING TO THEIR LIGHTS
AFTER TWENTY YEARS
AN ADJUSTMENT OF NATURE