Jimmy Valentine - O.Henry full text

Jimmy Valentine - O.Henry full text

Jimmy Valentine 

 O.Henry 

William Sydney Porter ( 1862-1910 ) , popularly known as O. Henry , was a noted short story writer from the United States of America . His famous short story collections include Cabbages and Kings ( 1904 ) , The Trimmed Lamp ( 1910 ) and The Gentle Grafter ( 1919 ) . This short story has been taken from the collection Roads of Destiny ( 1909 ) . The story is marked by humour and sentimentality . The surprise at the end is a typifying characteristic of O. Henry's short stories . 

A guard came to the prison shoe - shop , where Jimmy Valentine was A , warden handed Jimmy his pardon , which had been signed that morning by the governor . Jimmy took it in a tired kind of way . He had served nearly ten months of a four year sentence . He had expected to stay only about three months , at the longest . When a man with as many friends on the outside as Jimmy Valentine had is received in the ' stir ' it is hardly worthwhile to cut his hair . " Now , Valentine , " said the warden , " you'll go out in the morning . Brace up , and make a man of yourself You're not a bad fellow at heart . Stop cracking safes , and live straight . " " Me ? " said Jimmy , in surprise . " Why , I never cracked a safe in my life . " " Oh , no , " laughed the warden . " Of course not . Let's see , now . How was it you happened to get sent up on that Springfield job ? Was it because you wouldn't prove an alibi for fear of compromising somebody in extremely high - toned society ? Or was it simply a case of a mean old jury that had it in for you ? It's always one or the other with you innocent victims . " " Me ? " said Jimmy , still blankly virtuous . " Why , warden , I never was in Springfield in my life ! "

" Take him back , Cronin ! " said the warden , " and fix him up with outgoing clothes . Unlock him at seven in the morning , and let him come to the bull - pen . Better think over my advice , Valentine . " At a quarter past seven on the next morning Jimmy stood in the warden's outer office . He had on a suit of the villainously fitting , ready - made clothes and a pair of the stiff , squeaky shoes that the state furnishes to its discharged compulsory guests . The clerk handed him a railroad ticket and the five - dollar bill with which the law expected him to rehabilitate himself into good citizenship and prosperity . The warden gave him a cigar , and shook hands . Valentine , 9762 , was chronicled on the books , " Pardoned by Governor , " and Mr James Valentine walked out into the sunshine . Disregarding the song of the birds , the waving green trees , and the smell of the flowers , Jimmy headed straight for a restaurant . There he tasted the first sweet joys of liberty in the shape of a broiled chicken and a bottle of white wine followed by a cigar a grade better than the one the warden had given him . From there he proceeded leisurely to the depot . He tossed a quarter into the hat of a blind man sitting by the door , and boarded his train . Three hours set him down in a little town near the state line . He went to the cafe of one Mike Dolan and shook hands with Mike , who was alone behind the bar . " Sorry we couldn't make it sooner , Jimmy , me boy , " said Mike . " But we had that protest from Springfield to buck against , and the governor nearly balked . Feeling all right ? " " Fine , " said Jimmy . " Got my key ? " . He got his key and went upstairs , unlocking the door of a room at the rear . Everything was just as he had left it . There on the floor was still Ben Price's collar - button that had been torn from that eminent detective's shirt - band when they had overpowered Jimmy to arrest him . Pulling out from the wall a folding - bed , Jimmy slid back a panel in the wall and dragged out a dust - covered suitcase . He opened this and gazed fondly at the finest set of burglar's tools in the East . It was a complete set , made of specially tempered steel , the latest designs in drills , punches , braces and bits , jimmies , clamps , and augers , with two or three novelties , invented by Jimmy himself , in which he took pride . Over nine hundred dollars they had cost him to have made at - , a place where they make such things for the profession . In half an hour Jimmy went down stairs and through the cafe . He was now dressed in tasteful and well - fitting clothes , and carried his dusted and cleaned suitcase in his hand . " Got anything on ? " asked Mike Dolan , genially . " Me ? " said Jimmy , in a puzzled tone . " I don't understand . I'm representing the New York Amalgamated Short Snap Biscuit Cracker and Frazzled Wheat Company . " This statement delighted Mike to such an extent that Jimmy had to take a seltzer - and - milk on the spot . He never touched " hard " drinks . A week after the release of Valentine , 9762 , there was a neat job of safe burglary done in Richmond , Indiana , with no clue to the author . A scant eight hundred dollars was all that was secured . Two weeks after that a patented , improved , burglar - proof safe in Logansport was opened like a cheese to the tune of fifteen hundred dollars , currency ; securities and silver untouched . That began to interest the rogue - catchers . Then an old - fashioned bank - safe in Jefferson City became active and threw out of its crater an eruption of bank - notes amounting to five thousand dollars . The losses were now high enough to bring the matter up into Ben Price's class of work . By comparing notes , a remarkable similarity in the methods of the burglaries was noticed . Ben Price investigated the scenes of the robberies , and was heard to remark : " That's Dandy Jim Valentine's autograph . He's resumed business . Look at that combination knob - jerked out as easy as pulling up a radish in wet weather . He's got the only clamps that can do it . And look how clean those tumblers were punched out ! Jimmy never has to drill but one hole . Yes , I guess I want Mr. Valentine . He'll do his bit next time without any short - time or clemency foolishness . "

Ben Price knew Jimmy's habits . He had learned them while working on the Springfield case . Long jumps , quick get - aways , no confederates , and a taste for good society - these ways had helped Mr Valentine to become noted as a successful dodger of retribution . It was given out that Ben Price had taken up the trail of the elusive cracksman , and other people with burglar - proof safes felt more at ease . One afternoon Jimmy Valentine and his suitcase climbed out of the mail hack in Elmore , a little town five miles off the railroad down in the black - jack country of Arkansas . Jimmy , looking like an athletic young senior just home from college , went down the board side - walk toward the hotel . A young lady crossed the street , passed him at the corner and entered a door over which was the sign , " The Elmore Bank . " Jimmy Valentine looked into her eyes , forgot what he was , and became another man . She lowered her eyes and coloured slightly . Young men of Jimmy's style and looks were scarce in Elmore . Jimmy collared a boy loafing on the steps of the bank as if he were one of the stockholders , and began to ask him questions about the town , feeding him dimes at intervals . By and by the young lady came out , looking royally unconscious of the young man with the suit - case , and went her way . " Isn't that young lady Polly Simpson ? " asked Jimmy , with specious guile . " Naw , " said the boy . “ She's Annabel Adams . Her pa owns this bank . Why'd you come to Elmore for ? Is that a gold watch - chain ? I'm going to get a bulldog . Got any more dimes ? " Jimmy went to the Planters ' Hotel , registered as Ralph D. Spencer , and engaged a room . He leaned on the desk and declared his platform to the clerk . He said he had come to Elmore to look for a location to go into business . How was the shoe business , now , in the town ? He had thought of the shoe business . Was there an opening ? The clerk was impressed by the clothes and manner of Jimmy . He , himself , was something of a pattern of fashion to the thinly gilded youth of Elmore , but he now perceived his shortcomings . While trying to figure out jimmy's manner of tying his four - in - hand he cordially gave information .

Yes , there ought to be a good opening in the shoe line . There wasn't an exclusive shoe - store in the place . The dry - goods and general stores handled them . Business in all lines was fairly good . Hoped Mr Spencer would decide to locate in Elmore . He would find it a pleasant town to live in , and the people very sociable . Mr Spencer thought he would stop over in the town a few days and look over the situation . No , the clerk needn't call the boy . He would carry up his suitcase , himself ; it was rather heavy . Mr Ralph Spencer , the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine's ashes ashes left by the flame of a sudden and alterative attack of love - remained in Elmore , and prospered . He opened a shoe - store and secured a good run of trade . Socially he was also a success , and made many friends . And he accomplished the wish of his heart . He met Miss Annabel Adams , and became more and more captivated by her charms . At the end of a year the situation of Mr Ralph Spencer was this : he had won the respect of the community , his shoe - store was flourishing , and he and Annabel were engaged to be married in two weeks . Mr Adams , the typical , plodding , country banker , approved of Spencer . Annabel's pride in him almost equalled her affection . He was as much at home in the family of Mr Adams and that of Annabel's married sister as if he were already a member . One day Jimmy sat down in his room and wrote this letter , which he mailed to the safe address of one of his old friends in St. Louis : Dear Old Pal : I want you to be at Sullivan's place , in Little Rock , next Wednesday night , at nine o'clock . I want you to wind up some little matters for me . And , also , I want to make you a present of my kit of tools . I know you'll be glad to get them - you couldn't duplicate the lot for a thousand dollars . Say , Billy , I've quit the old business - a year ago . I've got a nice store . I'm making an honest living , and I'm going to marry the finest girl on earth two weeks from now . It's the only life , Billy , the straight one . I wouldn't touch a dollar of another man's money now for a million . After I get married I'm going to sell out and go West , where there won't be so much danger of having old scores brought up against me . I tell you , Billy , she's an angel . She believes in me ; and I wouldn't do another crooked thing for the whole world . Be sure to be at Sully's , for I must see you . I'll bring along the tools with me .

Your old friend , Jimmy . On the Monday night after Jimmy wrote this letter , Ben Price jogged unobtrusively into Elmore in a livery buggy . He lounged about town in his quiet way until he found out what he wanted to know . From the drug - store across the street from Spencer's shoe - store he got a good look at Ralph D. Spencer " Going to marry the banker's daughter are you , Jimmy ? " said Ben to himself , softly . " Well , I don't know ! " The next morning Jimmy took breakfast at the Adamses . He was going to Little Rock that day to order his wedding - suit and buy something nice for Annabel . That would be the first time he had left town since he came to Elmore . It had been more than a year now since those last professional " jobs , " and he thought he could safely venture out . After breakfast quite a family party went downtown together - Mr Adams , Annabel , Jimmy , and Annabel's married sister with her two little girls , aged five and nine . They came by the hotel where Jimmy still boarded , and he ran up to his room and brought along his suit - case . Then they went on to the bank . There stood Jimmy's horse and buggy and Dolph Gibson , who was going to drive him over to the railroad station . All went inside the high , carved oak railings into the banking - room- Jimmy included , for Mr Adams's future son - in - law was welcome anywhere . The clerks were pleased to be greeted by the good - looking , agreeable young man who was going to marry Miss Annabel . Jimmy set his suitcase down . Annabel , whose heart was bubbling with happiness and lively youth , put on Jimmy's hat , and picked up the suitcase . " Wouldn't I make a nice drummer ? " said Annabel . " My ! Ralph , how heavy it is ? Feels like it was full of gold bricks . " " Lot of nickel - plated shoe - horns in there , " said Jimmy coolly , " that I'm going to return . Thought I'd save express charges by taking them up . I'm getting awfully economical . " The Elmore Bank had just put in a new safe and vault . Mr Adams was very proud of it , and insisted on an inspection by everyone . The vault was a small one , but it had a new , patented door . It fastened with three solid steel bolts thrown simultaneously with a single handle , and had a time - lock . Mr Adams beamingly explained its workings to Mr Spencer , who showed a courteous but not too intelligent interest . The two children , May and Agatha , were delighted by the shining metal and funny clock and knobs . While they were thus engaged Ben Price sauntered in and leaned on his elbow , looking casually inside between the railings . He told the teller that he didn't want anything ; he was just waiting for a man he knew . Suddenly there was a scream or two from the women , and a commotion . Unperceived by the elders , May , the nine - year - old girl , in a spirit of play , had shut Agatha in the vault . She had then shot the bolts and turned the knob of the combination as she had seen Mr Adams do . The old banker sprang to the handle and tugged at it for a moment . " The door can't be opened , " he groaned . “ The clock hasn't been wound nor the combination set . " Agatha's mother screamed again , hysterically . " Hush ! " said Mr Adams , raising his trembling hand . ' All be quiet for a moment . Agatha ! " he called as loudly as he could . " Listen to me . " During the following silence they could just hear the faint sound of the child wildly shrieking in the dark vault in a panic of terror . " My precious darling ! " wailed the mother . " She will die of fright ! Open the door ! Oh , break it open ! Can't you men do something ? " " There isn't a man nearer than Little Rock who can open that door , " said Mr Adams , in a shaky voice . " My God ! Spencer , what shall we do ? That child she can't stand it long in there . There isn't enough air , and , besides , she'll go into convulsions from fright . " Agatha's mother , frantic now , beat the door of the vault with her hands . Somebody wildly suggested dynamite . Annabel turned to Jimmy , her large eyes full of anguish , but not yet despairing . To a woman nothing seems quite impossible to the powers of the man she worships . " Can't you do something , Ralph - try , won't you ? " He looked at her with a queer , soft smile on his lips and in his keen eyes . " Annabel , " he said , " give me that rose you are wearing , will you ? " Hardly believing that she heard him alright , she unpinned the bud from the bosom of her dress , and placed it in his hand . Jimmy stuffed it into his vest pocket , threw off his coat and pulled up his shirt - sleeves . With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place . " Get away from the door , all of you , " he commanded , shortly . He set his suitcase on the table , and opened it out flat . From that time on he seemed to be unconscious of the presence of anyone else . He laid out the shining , queer implements swiftly and orderly , whistling softly to himself as he always did when at work . In a deep silence and immovable , the others watched him as if under a spell . In a minute Jimmy's pet drill was biting smoothly into the steel door . In ten minutes - breaking his own burglarious record - he threw back the bolts and opened the door . Agatha , almost collapsed , but safe , was gathered into her mother's arms . Jimmy Valentine put on his coat , and walked outside the railings towards the front door . As he went he thought he heard a far - away voice that he once knew call " Ralph ! " But he never hesitated . At the door a big man stood somewhat in his way . " Hello , Ben ! " said Jimmy , still with his strange smile . " Got around at last , have you ? Well , let's go . I don't know that it makes much difference , now . " And then Ben Price acted rather strangely . " Guess you're mistaken , Mr Spencer , " he said . " Don't believe I recognise you . Your buggy's waiting for you , ain't it ? " And Ben Price turned and strolled down the street .