There were Ninety and Nine
The narrative follows a young man known as the "Goodwood Plunger," who arrives at Monte Carlo in a state of despair after losing his fortune through gambling. Once a promising heir, he has squandered not only his wealth but also his family’s respect and the affection of a girl he loved. As he contemplates his failures and the pain of his situation, he experiences a profound sense of isolation and mental anguish. In a moment of desperation, he decides to end his life, believing that Monte Carlo, a place of lost fortunes, is the fitting backdrop for his demise. However, his plans are interrupted when he encounters a distressed woman seeking help for her husband, who has won a significant amount of money at the tables but is on the verge of losing it all due to his reckless gambling. The woman pleads with the Plunger to intervene, believing that he, as a seasoned gambler, can persuade her husband to stop before he loses everything. Despite his own turmoil, the Plunger feels compelled to assist the couple. He confronts the husband, who is caught up in the thrill of winning and dismisses the Plunger's warnings. The Plunger, driven by a newfound sense of purpose, devises a plan to help the man secure his winnings by suggesting they split the bets among the three of them. After a tense moment, the husband wins again, and the Plunger seizes the opportunity to ensure the couple leaves Monte Carlo with their fortune intact. As the couple departs, expressing their gratitude, the Plunger experiences a moment of clarity and redemption. He reflects on the happiness he has brought to them and begins to reconsider his own life choices. The encounter rekindles a desire for reconciliation with his family and a return to a more honorable existence. In the end, the Plunger resolves to leave Monte Carlo and return home, feeling a sense of peace for the first time in a long while. He acknowledges the love and forgiveness of his father, reminiscent of the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, and embraces the possibility of a new beginning. The story concludes with him falling into a restful sleep, symbolizing hope and the potential for redemption.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1899 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 8,060 words
First lines
Young Harringford, or the "Goodwood Plunger," as he was perhaps better known at that time, had come to Monte Carlo in a very different spirit and in a very different state of mind from any in which he had ever visited the place before. He had come there for the same reason that a wounded lion, or a poisoned rat, for that matter, crawls away into a corner, that it may be alone when it dies. He stood leaning against one of the pillars of the Casino with his back to the moonlight, and with his eyes blinking painfully at the flaming lamps above the green tables inside. He knew they would be put out very soon; and as he had something to do then, he regarded them fixedly with painful earnestness, as a man who is condemned to die at sunrise watches through his barred windows for the first gray light of the morning.
What this Textopian page supports
There were Ninety and Nine is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1899 CE.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Romance, Adventure
- Length: 8,060 words
- Structure: 1 section, 68 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for There were Ninety and Nine by Richard Harding Davis
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Richard Harding Davis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- The Man With One Talent by Richard Harding Davis
- An Unfinished Story by Richard Harding Davis
- The Canterbury Pilgrims by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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- As It Was In The Beginning by Philip Verrill Mighels
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores deep themes of identity, morality, and the human condition through rich character development and introspective narrative.
- Drama — The plot centers around personal conflict, emotional struggles, and the consequences of gambling, creating a dramatic tension throughout the story.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's internal struggles and mental state are central to the narrative, reflecting psychological themes of despair and redemption.
- Romance — The story includes elements of lost love and longing for connection, particularly in relation to the protagonist's feelings for a girl from his past.
Tags
Historical Fiction · War Story · American Literature · Short Stories · Classic Novel · Adventure · Drama · Conflict · Soldiers · Battlefield · Morality · Faith