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One Thousand Dollars
A story about a very spoiled young man who must decide what to do with the $1000 his deceased uncle has given to him.
Unknown Binding
First published November 1, 1997
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About the author
O. Henry
2,919 books1,891 followersSuch volumes as
Cabbages and Kings
(1904) and
The Four Million
(1906) collect short stories, noted for their often surprising endings, of American writer William Sydney Porter, who used the pen name O. Henry.
His biography shows where he found inspiration for his characters. His era produced their voices and his language.
Mother of three-year-old Porter died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen years of age and worked for five years in drugstore of his uncle and then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884, he went to Austin, where he worked in a real estate office and a church choir and spent four years as a draftsman in the general land office. His wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
He failed to establish a small humorous weekly and afterward worked in poorly-run bank. When its accounts balanced not, people blamed and fired him.
In Houston, he worked for a few years until, ordered to stand trial for embezzlement, he fled to New Orleans and thence Honduras.
Two years later, he returned on account of illness of his wife. Apprehended, Porter served a few months more than three years in a penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. During his incarceration, he composed ten short stories, including A Blackjack Bargainer , The Enchanted Kiss , and The Duplicity of Hargraves .
In 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he sent manuscripts to New York editors. In the spring of 1902, Ainslee's Magazine offered him a regular income if he moved to New York.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
People rewarded other persons financially more. A Retrieved Reformation about the safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine got $250; six years later, $500 for dramatic rights, which gave over $100,000 royalties for playwright Paul Armstrong. Many stories have been made into films.
His biography shows where he found inspiration for his characters. His era produced their voices and his language.
Mother of three-year-old Porter died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen years of age and worked for five years in drugstore of his uncle and then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884, he went to Austin, where he worked in a real estate office and a church choir and spent four years as a draftsman in the general land office. His wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
He failed to establish a small humorous weekly and afterward worked in poorly-run bank. When its accounts balanced not, people blamed and fired him.
In Houston, he worked for a few years until, ordered to stand trial for embezzlement, he fled to New Orleans and thence Honduras.
Two years later, he returned on account of illness of his wife. Apprehended, Porter served a few months more than three years in a penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. During his incarceration, he composed ten short stories, including A Blackjack Bargainer , The Enchanted Kiss , and The Duplicity of Hargraves .
In 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he sent manuscripts to New York editors. In the spring of 1902, Ainslee's Magazine offered him a regular income if he moved to New York.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
People rewarded other persons financially more. A Retrieved Reformation about the safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine got $250; six years later, $500 for dramatic rights, which gave over $100,000 royalties for playwright Paul Armstrong. Many stories have been made into films.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 9, 2020
O Henry's stories are remarkable for the twist in the tail. Almost all his stories are remarkable for the "dramatic twist", which is the essence of Henry's narrative technique. This however facilitates the author to hold the reader till the end. One Thousand Dollar also ends unexpectedly with the protagonist Gillian surprising the reader through the display of his selfless love for Miss. Hayden.
Popular in public eye as a spendthrift, Gillian wonders what to do with his newfound wealth, inherited from his deceased uncle. Failing to "chuck the money in a lump", he at last decides to donate the $1000 to the "best and dearest 'woman on earth." He gets to know from the lawyer Tolman that his uncle has left for Miss. Hayden nothing more than a ring and the $10.
Gillian immediately shows up before Miss. Hayden and let her know that the lawyers has advised him to give her $1000, since they have found "an amendments" in the will of late Septimus Gillian, stating clearly to hand over the amount to her. While he donates .the money to Miss. Hayden, he politely lets her know that he loves her.
Miss. Hayden does not reciprocate. Gillian asks for a pen and paper to write down the expenses as according to the norms. He confesses on his note that he has used the entire amount allotted to him for the sake of the "best and dearest woman on earth." He then folds the paper and slips it inside an envelope.
With the envelope in his hand, Gillian arrives at the office of Tolman. He hands over the envelope to the lawyer. Mr. Tolman announces that Gillian is further bequeathed $50, 000 which he can only receive if he had spent the earlier amount prudently. Or else the whole amount will be transferred to Miss. Hayden, according to the will of Septimus Gillian. Gillian simply destroys the envelope, before Mr. Tolman takes it on to reading the note. He says that he has squandered the one thousand dollars on the races. The lawyers feel sorry for the Young Gillian who comes out of their office, whistling merrily.
Thus, the twist in the tail of the story not only surprises the reader but also let us know that what a man can do for the "best and dearest woman on earth." Young Gillian is genuinely in love with Miss. Hayden. The reader gets to know about it only towards the fag end of the story. Moreover, the end also affirms that there is always an "eternal happiness" in sacrifice. Gillian enjoys such happiness secretly. That is why he can walk away from the lawyers and the money "whistling gaily".
Popular in public eye as a spendthrift, Gillian wonders what to do with his newfound wealth, inherited from his deceased uncle. Failing to "chuck the money in a lump", he at last decides to donate the $1000 to the "best and dearest 'woman on earth." He gets to know from the lawyer Tolman that his uncle has left for Miss. Hayden nothing more than a ring and the $10.
Gillian immediately shows up before Miss. Hayden and let her know that the lawyers has advised him to give her $1000, since they have found "an amendments" in the will of late Septimus Gillian, stating clearly to hand over the amount to her. While he donates .the money to Miss. Hayden, he politely lets her know that he loves her.
Miss. Hayden does not reciprocate. Gillian asks for a pen and paper to write down the expenses as according to the norms. He confesses on his note that he has used the entire amount allotted to him for the sake of the "best and dearest woman on earth." He then folds the paper and slips it inside an envelope.
With the envelope in his hand, Gillian arrives at the office of Tolman. He hands over the envelope to the lawyer. Mr. Tolman announces that Gillian is further bequeathed $50, 000 which he can only receive if he had spent the earlier amount prudently. Or else the whole amount will be transferred to Miss. Hayden, according to the will of Septimus Gillian. Gillian simply destroys the envelope, before Mr. Tolman takes it on to reading the note. He says that he has squandered the one thousand dollars on the races. The lawyers feel sorry for the Young Gillian who comes out of their office, whistling merrily.
Thus, the twist in the tail of the story not only surprises the reader but also let us know that what a man can do for the "best and dearest woman on earth." Young Gillian is genuinely in love with Miss. Hayden. The reader gets to know about it only towards the fag end of the story. Moreover, the end also affirms that there is always an "eternal happiness" in sacrifice. Gillian enjoys such happiness secretly. That is why he can walk away from the lawyers and the money "whistling gaily".
July 20, 2023
I loved O. Henry's "One Thousand Dollars" is a romantic bent story of the use of $1000 and the need to report how it was dispensed. I cannot remember what other story, radio or tv/movie production had also alluding to how monies are used. The ending to me is open to many questions.
Story in short - Gillian inherited only $1000 from an uncle that was a millionaire and he needs to account to the lawyers how he spends this money. This nephew has been a reckless young man.
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ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS,” repeated Lawyer Tolman, solemnly and severely, “and here is the money.” Young Gillian gave a decidedly amused laugh as he fingered the thin package of new fifty-dollar notes. “It’s such a confoundedly awkward amount,” he explained, genially, to the lawyer. “If it had been ten
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thousand a fellow might wind up with a lot of fireworks and do himself credit. Even fifty dollars would have been less trouble.” “You heard the reading of your uncle’s will,” continued Lawyer Tolman, professionally dry in his tones. “I do not know if you paid much attention to its details. I must remind you of one. You are required to render to us an account of the manner of expenditure of this $1,000 as soon as you have disposed of it. The will stipulates that. I trust
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Gillian has been told to give a detailed account to how he spends his $1000 and he asks different people what they would do but in the end he gives the money to his uncle's young female ward who was given only a remembrance ring like the servants had also received. Gillian loves the girl and tells her that the lawyers had found an addendum that gave her the thousand, not telling her the truth. He tells of his love be but she does not return it, so he leaves happy to have given her something. He had written his account and goes to see the lawyers, but before giving it to them he is told that if he spends it poorly, $50,000 would go to the uncle's ward; if he spends it wisely the money is his! He tears up the note knowing all would go to his love and being happy in that fact! Here is the open questions. When the girl finds out from the lawyers which she will be probably told all. The lawyers thinking that Gillian spent carelessly and not knowing that the girl had received the money and the young man did rightly by her twice. First giving all the money to her knowing that she told him she doesn't return her love, and then to top it off he could have gained more money but decided to give it all to the one he loves. Why she did not love him before or did but did not like his ways? I bet her heart softens and she generally loves him and did he calculate this? I really don't think so but if he did gamble it would be worth it for him.
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that you will so far comply with the late Mr. Gillian’s wishes.” “You may depend upon it,” said the young man. % politely, “in spite of the extra expense it will entail. I may have to engage a secretary. I was never good at accounts.” Gillian went to his club. There he hunted out one whom he called Old Bryson. Old Bryson was calm and forty and sequestered. He was in a corner reading a book, and when he saw Gillian approaching he sighed,
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laid down his book and took off his glasses. “Old Bryson, wake up,” said Gillian. “I’ve a funny story to tell you.” “I wish you would tell it to some one in the billiard room,” said Old Bryson. “You know how I hate your stories.” “This is a better one than usual,” said Gillian, rolling a cigarette; “and I’m glad to tell it to you. It’s too sad and funny to go with the rattling of billiard balls. I’ve just come from my late uncle’s firm of legal corsairs. He leaves me an even thousand dollars. Now, what can a man possibly do with a thousand dollars?” “I thought,” said Old Bryson, showing as much interest as a bee shows in a vinegar cruet, “that the late Septimus Gillian was worth something like half a million.” “He was,” assented Gillian, joyously, “and that’s where the joke comes in. He’s left his whole cargo of doubloons to a microbe. That is, part of it goes to the man who invents a new bacillus and the rest to establish a hospital for doing away with it again. There are one or two
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trifling bequests on the side. The butler and the housekeeper get a seal ring and $10 each. His nephew gets $1,000.” “You’ve always had plenty of money to spend,” observed Old Bryson. “Tons,” said Gillian. “Uncle was the fairy godmother as far as an allowance was concerned.” “Any other heirs?” asked Old Bryson. “None.” Gillian frowned at his cigarette and kicked the upholstered leather of a divan uneasily.
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“There is a Miss Hayden, a ward of my uncle, who lived in his house. She’s a quiet thing — musical — the daughter of somebody who was unlucky enough to be his friend. I forgot to say that she was in on the seal ring and $10 joke, too. I wish I had been. Then I could have had two bottles of brut, tipped the waiter with the ring and had the whole business off my hands. Don’t be superior and insulting, Old Bryson — tell me what a fellow can do with a thousand dollars.”
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Old Bryson rubbed his glasses and smiled. And when Old Bryson smiled, Gillian knew that he intended to be more offensive than ever. “A thousand dollars,” he said, “means much or little. One man may buy a happy home with it and laugh at Rockefeller. Another could send his wife South with it and save her life. A thousand dollars would buy pure milk for one hundred babies during June, July, and August and save fifty of their lives. You could count upon a half hour’s diversion with it at faro in one of the fortified art galleries. It would furnish an education to an ambitious boy. I am told that a genuine Corot was secured for that amount in an auction room yesterday. You could move to a New Hampshire town and live respectably two years on it. You could rent Madison Square Garden for one evening with it, and lecture your audience, if you should have one, on the precariousness of the profession of heir presumptive.” “People might like you, Old Bryson,” said Gillian, always unruffled,
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“if you wouldn’t moralize. I asked you to tell me what I could do with a thousand dollars.” “You?” said Bryson, with a gentle laugh. “Why, Bobby Gillian, there’s only one logical thing you could do. You can go buy Miss Lotta Lauriere a diamond pendant with the money, and then take yourself off to Idaho and inflict your presence upon a ranch. I advise a sheep ranch, as I have a particular dislike for sheep.” “Thanks,” said Gillian, rising, “I thought I could depend upon you, Old Bryson. You’ve hit on the very
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scheme. I wanted to chuck the money in a lump, for I’ve got to turn in an account for it, and I hate itemizing.” Gillian phoned for a cab and said to the driver: “The stage entrance of the Columbine Theatre.” Miss Lotta Lauriere was assisting nature with a powder puff, almost ready for her call at a crowded matinée, when her dresser mentioned the name of Mr. Gillian.
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“Let it in,” said Miss Lauriere. “Now, what is it, Bobby? I’m going on in two minutes.” “Rabbit-foot your right ear a little,” suggested Gillian, critically. “That’s better. It won’t take two minutes for me. What do you say to a little thing in the pendant line? I can stand three ciphers with a figure one in front of ’em.” “Oh, just as you say,” carolled Miss Lauriere. “My right glove, Adams. Say, Bobby, did you see that necklace Della Stacey had on the other night? Twenty-two hundred
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dollars it cost at Tiffany’s. But, of course — pull my sash a little to the left, Adams.” “Miss Lauriere for the opening chorus!” cried the call boy without. Gillian strolled out to where his cab was waiting. “What would you do with a thousand dollars if you had it?” he asked the driver. “Open a s’loon,” said the cabby, promptly and huskily. “I know a place I could take money in with both hands. It’s a four-story brick on a corner. I’ve got it figured out.
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Second story — Chinks and chop suey; third floor — manicures and foreign missions; fourth floor — poolroom. If you was thinking of putting up the cap—” “Oh, no,” said Gillian, “I merely asked from curiosity. I take you by the hour. Drive ‘til I tell you to stop.” Eight blocks down Broadway Gillian poked up the trap with his cane and got out. A blind man sat upon a stool on the sidewalk selling pencils. Gillian went out and stood before him.
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“Excuse me,” he said, “but would you mind telling me what you would do if you had a thousand dollars?” “You got out of that cab that just drove up, didn’t you?” asked the blind man. “I did,” said Gillian. “I guess you are all right,” said the pencil dealer, “to ride in a cab by daylight. Take a look at that, if you like.” He drew a small book from his coat pocket and held it out. Gillian opened it and saw that it was a bank
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deposit book. It showed a balance of $1,785 to the blind man’s credit. Gillian returned the book and got into the cab. “I forgot something,” he said. “You may drive to the law offices of Tolman & Sharp, at –––– Broadway.” Lawyer Tolman looked at him hostilely and inquiringly through his gold-rimmed glasses. “I beg your pardon,” said Gillian, cheerfully, “but may I ask you a question? It is not an impertinent one, I hope. Was Miss Hayden left
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anything by my uncle’s will besides the ring and the $10?” “Nothing,” said Mr. Tolman. “I thank you very much, sir,” said Gillian, and on he went to his cab. He gave the driver the address of his late uncle’s home. Miss Hayden was writing letters in the library. She was small and slender and clothed in black. But you would have noticed her eyes. Gillian drifted in with his air of regarding the world as inconsequent. “I’ve just come from old Tolman’s,” he explained. “They’ve been
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going over the papers down there. They found a — Gillian searched his memory for a legal term — they found an amendment or a post-script or something to the will. It seemed that the old boy loosened up a little on second thoughts and willed you a thousand dollars. I was driving up this way and Tolman asked me to bring you the money. Here it is. You’d better count it to see if it’s right.” Gillian laid the money beside her hand on the desk. Miss Hayden turned white. “Oh!” she said, and again “Oh!”
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Gillian half turned and looked out the window. “I suppose, of course,” he said, in a low voice, “that you know I love you.” “I am sorry,” said Miss Hayden, taking up her money. “There is no use?” asked Gillian, almost light- heartedly. “I am sorry,” she said again. “May I write a note?” asked Gillian, with a smile, He seated himself at the big library table. She supplied him with paper and pen, and then went back to her secrétaire.
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Gillian made out his account of his expenditure of the thousand dollars in these words: “Paid by the black sheep, Robert Gillian, $1,000 on account of the eternal happiness, owed by Heaven to the best and dearest woman on earth.” Gillian slipped his writing into an envelope, bowed and went his way. His cab stopped again at the offices of Tolman & Sharp. “I have expended the thousand dollars,” he said cheerily, to Tolman of the gold glasses, “and I have come
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to render account of it, as I agreed. There is quite a feeling of summer in the air — do you not think so, Mr. Tolman?” He tossed a white envelope on the lawyer’s table. “You will find there a memorandum, sir, of the modus operandi of the vanishing of the dollars.” Without touching the envelope, Mr. Tolman went to a door and called his partner, Sharp. Together they explored the caverns of an immense safe. Forth they dragged, as trophy of their search a big envelope sealed with wax. This they forcibly
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invaded, and wagged their venerable heads together over its contents. Then Tolman became spokesman. “Mr. Gillian,” he said, formally, “there was a codicil to your uncle’s will. It was intrusted to us privately, with instructions that it be not opened until you had furnished us with a full account of your handling of the $1,000 bequest in the will. As you have fulfilled the conditions, my partner and I have read the codicil. I do not wish to encumber your understanding with its legal
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phraseology, but I will acquaint you with the spirit of its contents. “In the event that your disposition of the $1,000 demonstrates that you possess any of the qualifications that deserve reward, much benefit will accrue to you. Mr. Sharp and I are named as the judges, and I assure you that we will do our duty strictly according to justice — with liberality. We are not at all unfavorably disposed toward you, Mr. Gillian. But let us return to the letter of the codicil. If your disposal of the money in question has been
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prudent, wise, or unselfish, it is in our power to hand you over bonds to the value of $50,000, which have been placed in our hands for that purpose. But if — as our client, the late Mr. Gillian, explicitly provides — you have used this money as you have money in the past, I quote the late Mr. Gillian — in reprehensible dissipation among disreputable associates — the $50,000 is to be paid to Miriam Hayden, ward of the late Mr. Gillian, without delay. Now, Mr. Gillian, Mr. Sharp and I will examine your account in regard to the
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$1,000. You submit it in writing, I believe. I hope you will repose confidence in our decision.” Mr. Tolman reached for the envelope. Gillian was a little the quicker in taking it up. He tore the account and its cover leisurely into strips and dropped them into his pocket. “It’s all right,” he said, smilingly. “There isn’t a bit of need to bother you with this. I don’t suppose you’d understand these itemized bets, anyway. I lost the thousand dollars on the races. Good-day to you, gentlemen.” Tolman & Sharp shook their heads mournfully at each other when Gillian left, for they heard him whistling gayly in the hallway as he waited for the elevator.
Story in short - Gillian inherited only $1000 from an uncle that was a millionaire and he needs to account to the lawyers how he spends this money. This nephew has been a reckless young man.
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ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS,” repeated Lawyer Tolman, solemnly and severely, “and here is the money.” Young Gillian gave a decidedly amused laugh as he fingered the thin package of new fifty-dollar notes. “It’s such a confoundedly awkward amount,” he explained, genially, to the lawyer. “If it had been ten
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thousand a fellow might wind up with a lot of fireworks and do himself credit. Even fifty dollars would have been less trouble.” “You heard the reading of your uncle’s will,” continued Lawyer Tolman, professionally dry in his tones. “I do not know if you paid much attention to its details. I must remind you of one. You are required to render to us an account of the manner of expenditure of this $1,000 as soon as you have disposed of it. The will stipulates that. I trust
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
Gillian has been told to give a detailed account to how he spends his $1000 and he asks different people what they would do but in the end he gives the money to his uncle's young female ward who was given only a remembrance ring like the servants had also received. Gillian loves the girl and tells her that the lawyers had found an addendum that gave her the thousand, not telling her the truth. He tells of his love be but she does not return it, so he leaves happy to have given her something. He had written his account and goes to see the lawyers, but before giving it to them he is told that if he spends it poorly, $50,000 would go to the uncle's ward; if he spends it wisely the money is his! He tears up the note knowing all would go to his love and being happy in that fact! Here is the open questions. When the girl finds out from the lawyers which she will be probably told all. The lawyers thinking that Gillian spent carelessly and not knowing that the girl had received the money and the young man did rightly by her twice. First giving all the money to her knowing that she told him she doesn't return her love, and then to top it off he could have gained more money but decided to give it all to the one he loves. Why she did not love him before or did but did not like his ways? I bet her heart softens and she generally loves him and did he calculate this? I really don't think so but if he did gamble it would be worth it for him.
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that you will so far comply with the late Mr. Gillian’s wishes.” “You may depend upon it,” said the young man. % politely, “in spite of the extra expense it will entail. I may have to engage a secretary. I was never good at accounts.” Gillian went to his club. There he hunted out one whom he called Old Bryson. Old Bryson was calm and forty and sequestered. He was in a corner reading a book, and when he saw Gillian approaching he sighed,
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laid down his book and took off his glasses. “Old Bryson, wake up,” said Gillian. “I’ve a funny story to tell you.” “I wish you would tell it to some one in the billiard room,” said Old Bryson. “You know how I hate your stories.” “This is a better one than usual,” said Gillian, rolling a cigarette; “and I’m glad to tell it to you. It’s too sad and funny to go with the rattling of billiard balls. I’ve just come from my late uncle’s firm of legal corsairs. He leaves me an even thousand dollars. Now, what can a man possibly do with a thousand dollars?” “I thought,” said Old Bryson, showing as much interest as a bee shows in a vinegar cruet, “that the late Septimus Gillian was worth something like half a million.” “He was,” assented Gillian, joyously, “and that’s where the joke comes in. He’s left his whole cargo of doubloons to a microbe. That is, part of it goes to the man who invents a new bacillus and the rest to establish a hospital for doing away with it again. There are one or two
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trifling bequests on the side. The butler and the housekeeper get a seal ring and $10 each. His nephew gets $1,000.” “You’ve always had plenty of money to spend,” observed Old Bryson. “Tons,” said Gillian. “Uncle was the fairy godmother as far as an allowance was concerned.” “Any other heirs?” asked Old Bryson. “None.” Gillian frowned at his cigarette and kicked the upholstered leather of a divan uneasily.
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“There is a Miss Hayden, a ward of my uncle, who lived in his house. She’s a quiet thing — musical — the daughter of somebody who was unlucky enough to be his friend. I forgot to say that she was in on the seal ring and $10 joke, too. I wish I had been. Then I could have had two bottles of brut, tipped the waiter with the ring and had the whole business off my hands. Don’t be superior and insulting, Old Bryson — tell me what a fellow can do with a thousand dollars.”
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Old Bryson rubbed his glasses and smiled. And when Old Bryson smiled, Gillian knew that he intended to be more offensive than ever. “A thousand dollars,” he said, “means much or little. One man may buy a happy home with it and laugh at Rockefeller. Another could send his wife South with it and save her life. A thousand dollars would buy pure milk for one hundred babies during June, July, and August and save fifty of their lives. You could count upon a half hour’s diversion with it at faro in one of the fortified art galleries. It would furnish an education to an ambitious boy. I am told that a genuine Corot was secured for that amount in an auction room yesterday. You could move to a New Hampshire town and live respectably two years on it. You could rent Madison Square Garden for one evening with it, and lecture your audience, if you should have one, on the precariousness of the profession of heir presumptive.” “People might like you, Old Bryson,” said Gillian, always unruffled,
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“if you wouldn’t moralize. I asked you to tell me what I could do with a thousand dollars.” “You?” said Bryson, with a gentle laugh. “Why, Bobby Gillian, there’s only one logical thing you could do. You can go buy Miss Lotta Lauriere a diamond pendant with the money, and then take yourself off to Idaho and inflict your presence upon a ranch. I advise a sheep ranch, as I have a particular dislike for sheep.” “Thanks,” said Gillian, rising, “I thought I could depend upon you, Old Bryson. You’ve hit on the very
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scheme. I wanted to chuck the money in a lump, for I’ve got to turn in an account for it, and I hate itemizing.” Gillian phoned for a cab and said to the driver: “The stage entrance of the Columbine Theatre.” Miss Lotta Lauriere was assisting nature with a powder puff, almost ready for her call at a crowded matinée, when her dresser mentioned the name of Mr. Gillian.
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“Let it in,” said Miss Lauriere. “Now, what is it, Bobby? I’m going on in two minutes.” “Rabbit-foot your right ear a little,” suggested Gillian, critically. “That’s better. It won’t take two minutes for me. What do you say to a little thing in the pendant line? I can stand three ciphers with a figure one in front of ’em.” “Oh, just as you say,” carolled Miss Lauriere. “My right glove, Adams. Say, Bobby, did you see that necklace Della Stacey had on the other night? Twenty-two hundred
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dollars it cost at Tiffany’s. But, of course — pull my sash a little to the left, Adams.” “Miss Lauriere for the opening chorus!” cried the call boy without. Gillian strolled out to where his cab was waiting. “What would you do with a thousand dollars if you had it?” he asked the driver. “Open a s’loon,” said the cabby, promptly and huskily. “I know a place I could take money in with both hands. It’s a four-story brick on a corner. I’ve got it figured out.
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Second story — Chinks and chop suey; third floor — manicures and foreign missions; fourth floor — poolroom. If you was thinking of putting up the cap—” “Oh, no,” said Gillian, “I merely asked from curiosity. I take you by the hour. Drive ‘til I tell you to stop.” Eight blocks down Broadway Gillian poked up the trap with his cane and got out. A blind man sat upon a stool on the sidewalk selling pencils. Gillian went out and stood before him.
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“Excuse me,” he said, “but would you mind telling me what you would do if you had a thousand dollars?” “You got out of that cab that just drove up, didn’t you?” asked the blind man. “I did,” said Gillian. “I guess you are all right,” said the pencil dealer, “to ride in a cab by daylight. Take a look at that, if you like.” He drew a small book from his coat pocket and held it out. Gillian opened it and saw that it was a bank
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deposit book. It showed a balance of $1,785 to the blind man’s credit. Gillian returned the book and got into the cab. “I forgot something,” he said. “You may drive to the law offices of Tolman & Sharp, at –––– Broadway.” Lawyer Tolman looked at him hostilely and inquiringly through his gold-rimmed glasses. “I beg your pardon,” said Gillian, cheerfully, “but may I ask you a question? It is not an impertinent one, I hope. Was Miss Hayden left
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anything by my uncle’s will besides the ring and the $10?” “Nothing,” said Mr. Tolman. “I thank you very much, sir,” said Gillian, and on he went to his cab. He gave the driver the address of his late uncle’s home. Miss Hayden was writing letters in the library. She was small and slender and clothed in black. But you would have noticed her eyes. Gillian drifted in with his air of regarding the world as inconsequent. “I’ve just come from old Tolman’s,” he explained. “They’ve been
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going over the papers down there. They found a — Gillian searched his memory for a legal term — they found an amendment or a post-script or something to the will. It seemed that the old boy loosened up a little on second thoughts and willed you a thousand dollars. I was driving up this way and Tolman asked me to bring you the money. Here it is. You’d better count it to see if it’s right.” Gillian laid the money beside her hand on the desk. Miss Hayden turned white. “Oh!” she said, and again “Oh!”
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Gillian half turned and looked out the window. “I suppose, of course,” he said, in a low voice, “that you know I love you.” “I am sorry,” said Miss Hayden, taking up her money. “There is no use?” asked Gillian, almost light- heartedly. “I am sorry,” she said again. “May I write a note?” asked Gillian, with a smile, He seated himself at the big library table. She supplied him with paper and pen, and then went back to her secrétaire.
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Gillian made out his account of his expenditure of the thousand dollars in these words: “Paid by the black sheep, Robert Gillian, $1,000 on account of the eternal happiness, owed by Heaven to the best and dearest woman on earth.” Gillian slipped his writing into an envelope, bowed and went his way. His cab stopped again at the offices of Tolman & Sharp. “I have expended the thousand dollars,” he said cheerily, to Tolman of the gold glasses, “and I have come
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to render account of it, as I agreed. There is quite a feeling of summer in the air — do you not think so, Mr. Tolman?” He tossed a white envelope on the lawyer’s table. “You will find there a memorandum, sir, of the modus operandi of the vanishing of the dollars.” Without touching the envelope, Mr. Tolman went to a door and called his partner, Sharp. Together they explored the caverns of an immense safe. Forth they dragged, as trophy of their search a big envelope sealed with wax. This they forcibly
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invaded, and wagged their venerable heads together over its contents. Then Tolman became spokesman. “Mr. Gillian,” he said, formally, “there was a codicil to your uncle’s will. It was intrusted to us privately, with instructions that it be not opened until you had furnished us with a full account of your handling of the $1,000 bequest in the will. As you have fulfilled the conditions, my partner and I have read the codicil. I do not wish to encumber your understanding with its legal
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phraseology, but I will acquaint you with the spirit of its contents. “In the event that your disposition of the $1,000 demonstrates that you possess any of the qualifications that deserve reward, much benefit will accrue to you. Mr. Sharp and I are named as the judges, and I assure you that we will do our duty strictly according to justice — with liberality. We are not at all unfavorably disposed toward you, Mr. Gillian. But let us return to the letter of the codicil. If your disposal of the money in question has been
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prudent, wise, or unselfish, it is in our power to hand you over bonds to the value of $50,000, which have been placed in our hands for that purpose. But if — as our client, the late Mr. Gillian, explicitly provides — you have used this money as you have money in the past, I quote the late Mr. Gillian — in reprehensible dissipation among disreputable associates — the $50,000 is to be paid to Miriam Hayden, ward of the late Mr. Gillian, without delay. Now, Mr. Gillian, Mr. Sharp and I will examine your account in regard to the
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$1,000. You submit it in writing, I believe. I hope you will repose confidence in our decision.” Mr. Tolman reached for the envelope. Gillian was a little the quicker in taking it up. He tore the account and its cover leisurely into strips and dropped them into his pocket. “It’s all right,” he said, smilingly. “There isn’t a bit of need to bother you with this. I don’t suppose you’d understand these itemized bets, anyway. I lost the thousand dollars on the races. Good-day to you, gentlemen.” Tolman & Sharp shook their heads mournfully at each other when Gillian left, for they heard him whistling gayly in the hallway as he waited for the elevator.
July 2, 2016
All of us hanker after money especially if it's in the form of an inheritance. This short story illustrates the possibilities the young man considers with the money his uncle leaves him.
October 3, 2014
it was ok I really didn't like it alot
April 25, 2025
Кратък разказ, характерен с типичния за О. Хенри стил – неочакван край, хумор и морална дълбочина. Историята проследява младия Боби Гилиан, който наследява хиляда долара от чичо си при условие, че трябва да обясни как ги е похарчил. Привидно лекомислен и безгрижен, Гилиан изненадва читателя с решението си – щедър и благороден жест, скрит зад фасадата на безгрижие.
О. Хенри майсторски показва как най-ценните качества са скрити зад неочаквани лица.
О. Хенри майсторски показва как най-ценните качества са скрити зад неочаквани лица.
August 24, 2017
I had to read this story today in English class, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Just like O. Henry did in "The Gift of the Magi," he creates a heartwarming tale of wondering what to do before acting on selflessness.
All in all, a beautiful story, one I can see myself reading for years to come.
Just like O. Henry did in "The Gift of the Magi," he creates a heartwarming tale of wondering what to do before acting on selflessness.
All in all, a beautiful story, one I can see myself reading for years to come.
September 10, 2020
“It’s too much to spend and too little to invest”.
At the Young Bob Gillian knew he did not deserve the heredity his uncle left more than the secretary who worked for him.
At the Young Bob Gillian knew he did not deserve the heredity his uncle left more than the secretary who worked for him.
December 15, 2021
O Henry = twist endings, but this is one of the best twist endings yet. Clever
April 12, 2024
A young man inherits $1,000. His vexing dilemma is how to spend it. The result and aftermath are a nice twist.
February 17, 2025
One of my favorite short stories by O. Henry. But the more I read this author and Saki, the more I realize I prefer Saki's surprises and writing skills.
December 8, 2014
good book
July 22, 2021
O. Henry was, is and will always be lit🔥.
August 28, 2015
In class.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews