Knew what was Needed by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She soon discovers that he has been embezzling funds from his company and is in danger of being caught. To protect herself, she helps him escape to South America, where they start anew. However, the woman's past eventually catches up with her, and she is forced to return to the United States. There, she meets a man who claims to be her husband's former business partner, but it turns out he is actually an investigator hired by the authorities to track down the embezzler. The woman is caught and brought back to face justice, but in a surprising twist, she is not punished for her role in helping her husband escape. Instead, she is given a chance to redeem herself by testifying against him, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Throughout the story, the themes of deception, loyalty, and redemption are explored, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of one's actions.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Short Story, Humor, Literary Fiction · 201 words
First lines
A gentleman from Ohio, who has come South on a hunting trip, arrived in Houston, rather late one night last week, and on his way to a hotel stopped in a certain saloon to get a drink. A colored man was behind the bar temporarily and served him with what he wanted. The gentleman had his shotgun in its case, and he laid it upon the bar while waiting.
"Is there any game about here? " he asked, after paying for his drink.
"I guess dey is, boss," said the colored man, looking doubtfully at the gun on the counter, "but you jest wait a minute, boss, till I fixes you up in better shape."
He opened a drawer and handed the gentleman a six-shooter.
What this Textopian page supports
Knew what was Needed is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Humor, Literary Fiction, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 201 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
- An Afternoon Miracle by O. Henry
- His Only Opportunity by O. Henry
- The Sphinx Apple by O. Henry
- A Narrow Escape by O. Henry
- The Cop And The Anthem by O. Henry
- The Green Door by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a complete story within a limited word count.
- Humor — The dialogue and situation present a comedic twist, highlighting the absurdity of the gentleman's predicament.
- Literary Fiction — The story explores themes of social interaction and cultural differences, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Adventure — The setting involves a hunting trip, suggesting elements of adventure and exploration.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Fate vs Free Will · Class Conflict · Poverty · Wealth