The story revolves around a young man who is struggling to make ends meet and is forced to pawn his prized possession, a violin, to pay for food. He then meets an old man who offers him a job in exchange for room and board. The young man accepts and begins working as the old man's assistant. As they work together, the young man learns that the old man is actually a wealthy businessman who has been using his position of power to exploit others. The young man becomes disillusioned with the old man's actions and decides to take matters into his own hands. The story takes a turn when the young man discovers that the old man has been using him as a pawn in one of his business schemes. The young man is forced to confront the reality of his situation and must decide whether to continue working for the old man or to strike out on his own. Ultimately, the young man decides to leave the old man's employ and start fresh. He uses the skills he learned from the old man to build a better life for himself, but not before exacting revenge on the old man by taking back his violin and playing it in front of him as a symbol of his newfound independence. The story is a commentary on the class struggle and the exploitation of the working class. It highlights the themes of power, greed, and redemption, and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.
By O. Henry · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Drama