Another batch of O. Henry stories
All by O. Henry
104. The Sleuths. This one is hilarious! We see Shamrock Jolnes again, this time as he assists a man who is looking for his sister. Or, at least he tries to help, but another sleuth is called in to assist. Definitely ribbing Conan Doyle with this one.
105. The Skylight Room. I remember reading this in either middle or high school. I recall really liking this story at that time, and I do still enjoy the ending. But overall, reading this with more adult eyes, I realize this story really has not aged well in a couple respects. I now only consider it meh.
106. The Shocks of Doom. One of O. Henry's more mediocre stories. One, too much of the plot twist is given away too early. Also, the ending just didn't work for me. The rapport between the two main characters - one recently made homeless and someone who had been on the streets for a while - was good, even sweet. But the reader already has an idea on how it's going to very early on. Meh.
107. The Rubber Plant's Story. I really enjoyed this story, told from the point of view of a rubber plant. We follow it's travels as a young plant in a pony circus to a young woman's flat. Very funny tale!
108. The Rubaiyat of a Scotch Highball. An enjoyable story, even if some terms may not have aged too well. The story follows a young man who decides to cut out alcohol after overhearing a snide remark from a colleague. His wife is not entirely on board but the way they reconnect is sweet (even if it is misunderstood by their landlady). Do wonder how much of O. Henry was in the fictional man; the author struggled with alcoholism and drinking in excess contributed to his early death.
109. The Romance of a Busy Broker. Interesting tale- it's told through the eyes of an onlooker, a worker at a brokerage firm observing the behavior of his boss and his secretary. The whirlwind of activity is high, with an added dose of office intrigue. Also- the ending surprised me, didn't see it coming. Made me laugh out loud.
110. The Robe of Peace. Really, really funny. Hard to give out much of the plot without giving away spoilers. Two men find their mutual friend by accident and the most unlikely place. His reasons for being there are even more incredible. The ending had me cracking up.
111. The Roads We Take. Ick. Didn't care for this one at all. It hasn't aged well and the ending just didn't work for me. Here, a group of desperados plan a heist, but nothing goes right.
112. The Remnants of the Code. A chapter from Of Cabbages and Kings. The town drunk has hit rock bottom and decides to use a hidden ace to blackmail a respected wealthy man. Will his code of honor, however, work for or against him?
113. The Reformation of Calliope. An OK story with a sweet ending but I've seen a similar plot in at least one other O. Henry tale, and done better. Here, Calliope has gone on yet another rampage, but this time the marshal has rounded up some men to put a permanent end to his wild behavior. The final standoff at the railway station holds an unexpected surprise. I do wonder how much of Calliope is O. Henry writing about his own struggles and hopes for forgiveness. I did have to read the ending twice to figure out just what happened.
114. The Red Roses of Tonia. Easter is fast approaching, but Tonia doesn't have her coveted Easter bonnet because the train delivering it to her has broken down. Two gentlemen dash off to find a suitable substitute hat at a store across town, each hoping to best the other in finding a hat - and a place at Tonia's side. The ending is rather different. Amusing story, especially liked the exchanges between the two suiters.
115. The Rathskeller and the Rose. In this tale, a young man covets the part of the lead in a new play, where he will be alongside a pretty and popular actress. But in order to win her opinion, he has to show her that he can play someone from the country-- which is something the actress would know about from first-hand experience. The ending was predictable but amusing.