Stories 20-27
Still going through O. Henry stories.
20. Mammon and the Archer. A clever title for a clever short story. A young man expresses his despair to his father about a woman he is afraid he will never get to call his own. So the rich dad and the man's aunt both try to help the young man - and try to determine if money can indeed buy anything, or if love conquers all. The answer is open to interpretation.
21. Makes the Whole World Kin. I can so easily see this being turned into a short play. This hilarious story centers on a burglar who breaks into a house- and discovers that he and his intended victim have something in common.
22. Lost on Dress Parade. Amusing if predictable. A young man goes out once every 70 days to live the high life. He meets a young woman who has sprained her ankle in a fall. He falls for her, but may have compromised his chances with her by playing his role as a wealthy idler a bit too well.
23. Lord Oakhurst's Curse. I just didn't get this one. Best thing I can say about it is that it was a very short short story. Didn't get the joke, wasn't sure what the curse was supposed to be. Can't win them all, I suppose.
24. Little Speck in Garnered Fruit. I saw the ending coming but this story is still pretty funny. A newlywed bride asks her husband to go out and find her a peach. Trouble is, it's early spring. Despite this obstacle, the young man will stop at nothing to find his love's desire.
25. Jimmy Hayes and Muriel. Jimmy is sent to join a group of rangers to help patrol the area. He brings with him Muriel, to the surprise of his fellow rangers. She winds up providing a valuable service in the end after the rangers are surprised by a roving band of infamous outlaws. Sweet and funny, and a bit sad.
26. Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet. Really mixed feelings on this one. It's funny overall and the ending is fantastic, a bit of a double twist. But there are parts and terms in here that, shall we say, haven't aged well.
27. Innocents of Broadway. A clever short story with an ambiguous ending. Two men accustomed to shady deals are completely taken off guard when a stranger trusts them with $5,000. They debate how they can keep this windfall without it actually being theft. The ending is open to interpretation but they might have outsmarted themselves.