O. Henry | shortsonline

The Cop and the Anthem

shortsonline — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:00:05 +0000

Short Story by O. Henry. A homeless man who lives on the streets in the warmer months tries in vain to commit a petty crime so he can spend the winter in prison. A chance stop outside a church brings about an epiphany, thoughts of reform – and jail.

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A Retrieved Reformation

shortsonline — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 21:00:42 +0000

Short Story by O. Henry. Safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine gives up his life of crime for love. He changes his identity, builds a successful business, and becomes a model citizen. Unfortunately, police detective Ben Price is hot on Jimmy’s trail. Luckily for Jimmy, he still has his safe-cracking tools!

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Hearts and Hands

shortsonline — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 04:00:20 +0000

Quick Read by O. Henry. An attractive, refined-looking young woman is returning East by train after spending time in the “Wild West”. She greets a handsome, well-dressed young man she knows, and is surprised to see that he is handcuffed to a roughly dressed, glum-faced companion.

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The Romance of a Busy Broker

shortsonline — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 19:45:59 +0000

Quick Read by O. Henry. A busy New York broker sits down at his desk and puts everything other than the stock market out of his mind. When he breaks for lunch, we learn that he has forgotten something more even important than making money.

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The Gift of the Magi

shortsonline — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 02:25:24 +0000

Short Story by O. Henry. A poor couple each sell their most valuable possession in order to buy a Christmas present that they feel is good enough for the one they love. The irony is that neither can use the precious gift the other has bought them.

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The Last Leaf

shortsonline — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 05:53:01 +0000

Short Story by O. Henry. Two young women trying to make a living as artists share an apartment. One of them becomes very sick, and believes she will die when the last leaf falls from an ivy plant on the wall opposite her window. An unselfish act saves her life.

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One Thousand Dollars

shortsonline — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 01:43:10 +0000

Short Story by O. Henry. After receiving an inheritance of $1,000 from an uncle and canvassing various options, a spendthrift man reforms. He contrives for this and an additional $50,000 to which he becomes entitled to go to his uncle’s ward, who he loves and was left very little.

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After Twenty Years

shortsonline — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 00:05:08 +0000

Quick Read by O. Henry. Two boyhood friends lose touch after one decides to “go West” to make his fortune. When he leaves, the two make a solemn promise to meet again outside their favorite New York restaurant in twenty years. Both men keep the promise, and both regret it.

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The Ransom of Red Chief

shortsonline — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:28:02 +0000

Short Story by O. Henry. Two criminals kidnap the wrong boy. Not only is he hyperactive and uncontrollable but, poorly treated at home, he enjoys the experience so much that he doesn’t want to return. Through various persona (including the warrior Red Chief), he drives the men to distraction.

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The Green Door

shortsonline — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:11:39 +0000

Short Story by O. Henry. By day, Rudolf Steiner lives a normal life working in a piano store. By night, he walks the streets looking for adventure. One night, adventure calls upon him to open a green door. What he finds on the other side could change his life forever.

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