A Strange Story by O. Henry (1899)
The story revolves around a man who is wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to death. He escapes from prison with the help of his friend, but they are pursued by the authorities. The man's friend is killed in the escape, and he is left alone to face the consequences of his actions. As he flees, he meets a woman who helps him evade capture. However, she turns out to be the wife of one of the men who was involved in the murder for which he was wrongly accused. The man eventually discovers that the woman's husband was indeed involved in the crime and had framed him for it. He also learns that his friend, who died during the escape, was actually innocent of any wrongdoing. In the end, the man is able to clear his name and bring justice to those responsible for framing him.
By O. Henry · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Mystery · 424 words
First lines
In the northern part of Austin there once dwelt an honest family by the name of Smothers. The family consisted of John Smothers, his wife, himself, their little daughter, five years of age, and her parents, making six people toward the population of the city when counted for a special write-up, but only three by actual count.
One night after supper the little girl was seized with a severe colic, and John Smothers hurried downtown to get some medicine.
What this Textopian page supports
A Strange Story is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
- Length: 424 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Strangers Appeal by O. Henry
- The Memento by O. Henry
- Sufficient Provocation by O. Henry
- The Open Window by Hector Hugh Munro
- Somebody Lied by O. Henry
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a complete story within a limited word count.
- Literary Fiction — The story explores themes of family, loss, and coincidence, focusing on character development and emotional depth.
- Mystery — The disappearance of John Smothers creates an element of intrigue and suspense that drives the narrative.
- Drama — The emotional struggles of the characters, particularly the mother and daughter, highlight dramatic themes of grief and resilience.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Psychological Fiction · Short Story · Supernatural · Gothic · Dark Fantasy · Paranormal · Suspense · Tension · Unreliable Narrator · Plot Twist