Too Late by O. Henry (1911)
The story revolves around a man who is about to be hanged for murder. He has been condemned to death after being caught with the victim's watch in his possession. However, it is later revealed that the watch was actually a gift from the victim to the accused, and he had been trying to return it when he was arrested.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Western, Adventure, Drama · 537 words
First lines
Young Lieutenant Baldwin burst excitedly into his general's room and cried hoarsely: "For God's sake, General! Up! Up! and come. Spotted Lightning has carried off your daughter, Inez!"
General Splasher sprang to his feet in dismay. "What," he cried, "not Spotted Lightning, the chief of the Kiomas, the most peaceful tribe in the reservation?"
What this Textopian page supports
Too Late 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: Western, Adventure, Drama, Short Story, Tragedy
- Length: 537 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Too Late by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Too Late?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Western first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Delayed by O. Henry
- Jim by O. Henry
- The Cameo by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Lara by Lord Byron
- He Last Of The Troubadours by O. Henry
- A Test Of Love by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Western — The story is set in the American West and involves themes of conflict between settlers and Native Americans, typical of the Western genre.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a rescue mission, featuring action and pursuit, which are key elements of adventure narratives.
- Drama — The emotional stakes are high, focusing on familial relationships and the consequences of actions, characteristic of dramatic storytelling.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a single incident with a clear resolution.
Tags
Tragic · Romance · Short Story · Fate · Love · Loss · Regret · Mourning · Grief · Longing · Nostalgia · Memory