The story revolves around a young man who borrows money from his wealthy uncle to pay off debts and improve his financial situation. However, the loan comes with an unusual condition: the young man must return double the amount borrowed within a specified time frame. As the deadline approaches, the young man struggles to come up with the funds, but ultimately finds a way to repay the debt in full. The twist is that he does so by selling his own life insurance policy, which pays out upon his death. The story explores themes of financial responsibility, family obligations, and the consequences of one's actions.
By O. Henry · First published 1914 · Genre: Western, Drama, Short Story