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Shearing The Wolf
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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 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 1, 2026
O. Henry’s “Shearing the Wolf” is another Jeff and Andy, the grifter story where they are taking another vacation thinking that they can stay clean from scamming.
Story in short- Andy and Jeff seem to have some supposed principles for their illicit profession, or so they say.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
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“One summer me and Andy decided to rest up a spell in a fine little
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town in the mountains of Kentucky called Grassdale. We was supposed to be horse drovers, and good
decent citizens besides, taking a summer vacation. The Grassdale people liked us, and me and Andy
declared a cessation of hostilities, never so much as floating the fly leaf of a rubber concession
prospectus or flashing a Brazilian diamond while we was there. “One day the leading hardware
merchant of Grassdale drops around to the hotel where me and Andy stopped, and smokes with
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2345
us, sociable, on the side porch. We knew him pretty well from pitching quoits in the afternoons in the
court house yard. He was a loud, red man, breathing hard, but fat and respectable beyond all reason.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
A business man seeks the grifters advice about a shady deal in Chicago, it becomes apparent that they see this man looking to catch and outsmart the criminals but they go along not to help because their principles see that this business man is indeed not knowing the circumstances of the swindler’s responsibility, so the grifters take the money he brought and promise not to tell the vacationers of him dealing with a swindler.
Page 2346
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“After we talk on all the notorious themes of the day, this Murkison
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2346
— for such was his entitlements — takes a letter out of his coat pocket in a careful, careless way and
hands it to us to read. “‘Now, what do you think of that?’ says he, laughing— ‘a letter like that to ME!’ “Me
and Andy sees at a glance what it is; but we pretend to read it through. It was one of them old time
typewritten green goods letters explaining how for $1,000 you could get $5,000 in bills that an expert
couldn’t tell from the genuine; and going on to tell how they were
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2346
made from plates stolen by an employee of the Treasury at Washington. “‘Think of ’em sending a letter
like that
1
Page 2347
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“‘Lot’s of good men get ’em,’ says Andy. ‘If you don’t answer the first letter they let you drop. If you
answer it they write again asking you to come on with your money and do business.’ “‘But think of ’em
writing to ME!’ says Murkison. “A few days later he drops around again. “‘Boys,’ says he, ‘I know you are
all right or I wouldn’t confide in you. I wrote to them rascals again just
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2347
for fun. They answered and told me to come on to Chicago. They said telegraph to J. Smith when I would
start. When I get there I’m to wait on a certain street corner till a man in a gray suit comes along and
drops a newspaper in front of me. Then I am to ask him how the water is, and he knows it’s me and I
know it’s him.’ “‘Ah, yes,’ says Andy, gaping, ‘it’s the same old game. I’ve often read about it in the
papers. Then he conducts you to the private abattoir in the hotel, where Mr. Jones is already waiting.
They show you brand new real money and sell you all you want at five for one. You see ’em put it in a
satchel for you and know it’s there. Of course it’s brown paper when you come to look at it afterward.’
Page 2348
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“‘Oh, they couldn’t switch it on me,’ says Murkison. ‘I haven’t
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built up the best paying business in Grassdale without having witticisms about me. You say it’s real
money they show you, Mr. Tucker?’ “‘I’ve always — I see by the papers that it always is,’ says Andy.
“‘Boys,’ says Murkison, ‘I’ve got it in my mind that them fellows can’t fool me. I think I’ll put a couple of
thousand in my jeans and go up there and put it all over ’em. If Bill Murkison gets his eyes once on them
bills they show him he’ll never take ’em off of ’em. They offer $5 for $1, and they’ll have to stick to
Page 2349
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the bargain if I tackle ’em. That’s the kind of trader Bill Murkison is. Yes, I jist believe I’ll drop up Chicago
way and take a 5 to 1 shot on J. Smith. I guess the water’ll be fine enough.’ “Me and Andy tries to get this
financial misquotation out of Murkison’s head, but we might as well have tried to keep the man who
rolls peanuts with a toothpick from betting on Bryan’s election. No, sir; he was going to perform a public
duty by catching these green goods swindlers at their own game. Maybe it would teach ’em a lesson.
2
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“After Murkison left us me and Andy sat a while prepondering over our silent meditations and heresies
of reason. In our idle hours we always improved our higher selves by ratiocination and mental thought.
“‘Jeff,’ says Andy after a long time, ‘quite unseldom I have seen fit to impugn your molars when you
have been chewing the rag with me about your conscientious way of doing business. I may have been
often wrong. But here is a case where I think we can agree. I feel that it would be wrong for us to allow
Mr.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2349
Murkison to go alone to meet those Chicago green goods men. There is but one way it can end. Don’t you
think we would both feel better if we was to intervene in some way and prevent the doing of this deed?’
“I got up and shook Andy Tucker’s hand hard and long. “‘Andy,’ says I, ‘I may have had one or two hard
thoughts about the heartlessness of your corporation, but I retract ’em now. You have a kind nucleus at
the interior of your exterior after all. It does you credit. I was just thinking the same thing
Page 2350
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that you have expressed. It would not be honorable or praiseworthy,’ says I, ‘for us to let Murkison go on
with this project he has taken up. If he is determined to go let us go with him and prevent this swindle
from coming off.’ “Andy agreed with me; and I was glad to see that he was in earnest about breaking up
this green goods scheme. “‘I don’t call myself a religious man,’ says I, ‘or a fanatic in moral bigotry, but I
can’t stand still and see a man who has built up his business by his own efforts and brains and risk be
robbed by an unscrupulous trickster who is a menace to the public good.’ “‘Right, Jeff,’ says Andy. ‘We’ll
stick right along with Murkison if he insists on going and block this funny business. I’d hate to see any
money dropped in it as bad as you would.’ “Well, we went to see Murkison. “‘No, boys,’ says he. ‘I can’t
consent to let the song of this Chicago siren waft by me on the summer breeze. I’ll fry some fat out of this
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2350
ignis fatuus or burn a hole in the skillet. But I’d be plumb diverted to death to have you all go along with
me. Maybe you could help some when it comes to cashing in the ticket to that 5 to 1 shot. Yes, I’d really
take it as a pastime and regalement if you boys would go along too.’ “Murkison gives it out in Grassdale
that he is going for a few days with Mr. Peters and Mr. Tucker to look over some iron ore property in
West Virginia. He wires J. Smith that he will set foot in the spider web
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2350
on a given date; and the three of us lights out for Chicago. “On the way Murkison amuses himself with
premonitions and advance pleasant recollections. “‘In a gray suit,’ says he, ‘on the southwest corner of
Wabash avenue and Lake street. He drops the paper, and I ask how the water is. Oh, my, my, my!’ And
then he laughs all over for five minutes. “Sometimes Murkison was serious and tried to talk himself out
of his cogitations, whatever they was.
3
Page 2351
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
“‘Boys,’ says he, ‘I wouldn’t have this to get out in Grassdale for ten times a thousand dollars. It would
ruin me there. But I know you all are all right. I think it’s the duty of every citizen,’ says he, ‘to try to do
up these robbers that prey upon the public. I’ll show ’em whether the water’s fine. Five dollars for one —
that’s what J. Smith offers, and he’ll have to keep his contract if he does business with Bill Murkison.’
“We got into Chicago about 7 p.m. Murkison was to meet the gray man at half past 9. We had dinner at a
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
hotel and then went up to Murkison’s room to wait for the time to come. “‘Now, boys,’ says Murkison,
‘let’s get our gumption together and inoculate a plan for defeating the enemy. Suppose while I’m
exchanging airy bandage with the gray capper you gents come along, by accident, you know, and holler:
“Hello, Murk!” and shake hands with symptoms of surprise and familiarity. Then I take the capper aside
and tell him you all are Jenkins and Brown of Grassdale, groceries and feed,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
good men and maybe willing to take a chance while away from home.’ “‘“Bring ’em along,” he’ll say, of
course, “if they care to invest.” Now, how does that scheme strike you?’ “‘What do you say, Jeff?’ says
Andy, looking at me. “‘Why, I’ll tell you what I say,’ says I. ‘I say let’s settle this thing right here now. I
don’t see any use of wasting any more time.’ I took a nickel-plated .38 out of my pocket and clicked the
cylinder around a few times.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
“‘You undevout, sinful, insidious hog,’ says I to Murkison, ‘get out that two thousand and lay it on the
table. Obey with velocity,’ says I, ‘for otherwise alternatives are impending. I am preferably a man of
mildness, but now and then I find myself in the middle of extremities. Such men as you,’ I went on after
he had laid the money out, ‘is what keeps the jails and court houses going. You come up here to rob these
men of their money. Does it excuse you?’ I asks, ‘that they were trying to skin you? No, sir; you was going
Page 2352
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to rob Peter to stand off Paul. You are ten times worse,’ says I, ‘than that green goods man. You go to
church at home and pretend to be a decent citizen, but you’ll come to Chicago and commit larceny from
men that have built up a sound and profitable business by dealing with such contemptible scoundrels as
you have tried to be to-day. How do you know,’ says I, ‘that that green goods man hasn’t a large family
dependent upon his extortions? It’s you supposedly respectable citizens who are always on the lookout
to
4
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2352
get something for nothing,’ says I, ‘that support the lotteries and wild-cat mines and stock exchanges
and wire tappers of this country. If it wasn’t for you they’d go out of business. The green goods man you
was going to rob,’ says I, ‘studied maybe for years to learn his trade. Every turn he makes he risks his
money and liberty and maybe his life. You come up here all sanctified and vanoplied with respectability
and a pleasing post office address to swindle him. If he gets the money you can squeal to the police. If
you get it
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2352
he hocks the gray suit to buy supper and says nothing. Mr. Tucker and me sized you up,’ says I, ‘and
came along to see that you got what you deserved. Hand over the money,’ says I, ‘you grass fed
hypocrite.’ “I put the two thousand, which was all in $20 bills, in my inside pocket. “‘Now get out your
watch,’ says I to Murkison. ‘No, I don’t want it,’ says I. ‘Lay it on the table and you sit in that chair till it
ticks off an hour. Then you can go. If you make any noise or leave any sooner we’ll
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handbill you all over Grassdale. I guess your high position there is worth more than $2,000 to you.’
“Then me and Andy left. “On the train Andy was a long time silent. Then he says: ‘Jeff, do you mind my
asking you a question?’ “‘Two,’ says I, ‘or forty.’ “‘Was that the idea you had,’ says he, ‘when we started
out with Murkison?’ “‘Why, certainly,’ says I. ‘What else could it have been? Wasn’t it yours, too?’
Page 2353
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“In about half an hour Andy spoke again. I think there are times when Andy don’t exactly understand
my system of ethics and moral hygiene. “‘Jeff,’ says he, ‘some time when you have the leisure I wish you’
d draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours. I’d like to have it to refer to
occasionally.’”
Story in short- Andy and Jeff seem to have some supposed principles for their illicit profession, or so they say.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2345
“One summer me and Andy decided to rest up a spell in a fine little
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2345
town in the mountains of Kentucky called Grassdale. We was supposed to be horse drovers, and good
decent citizens besides, taking a summer vacation. The Grassdale people liked us, and me and Andy
declared a cessation of hostilities, never so much as floating the fly leaf of a rubber concession
prospectus or flashing a Brazilian diamond while we was there. “One day the leading hardware
merchant of Grassdale drops around to the hotel where me and Andy stopped, and smokes with
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2345
us, sociable, on the side porch. We knew him pretty well from pitching quoits in the afternoons in the
court house yard. He was a loud, red man, breathing hard, but fat and respectable beyond all reason.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
A business man seeks the grifters advice about a shady deal in Chicago, it becomes apparent that they see this man looking to catch and outsmart the criminals but they go along not to help because their principles see that this business man is indeed not knowing the circumstances of the swindler’s responsibility, so the grifters take the money he brought and promise not to tell the vacationers of him dealing with a swindler.
Page 2346
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2346
“After we talk on all the notorious themes of the day, this Murkison
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2346
— for such was his entitlements — takes a letter out of his coat pocket in a careful, careless way and
hands it to us to read. “‘Now, what do you think of that?’ says he, laughing— ‘a letter like that to ME!’ “Me
and Andy sees at a glance what it is; but we pretend to read it through. It was one of them old time
typewritten green goods letters explaining how for $1,000 you could get $5,000 in bills that an expert
couldn’t tell from the genuine; and going on to tell how they were
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2346
made from plates stolen by an employee of the Treasury at Washington. “‘Think of ’em sending a letter
like that
1
Page 2347
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2347
“‘Lot’s of good men get ’em,’ says Andy. ‘If you don’t answer the first letter they let you drop. If you
answer it they write again asking you to come on with your money and do business.’ “‘But think of ’em
writing to ME!’ says Murkison. “A few days later he drops around again. “‘Boys,’ says he, ‘I know you are
all right or I wouldn’t confide in you. I wrote to them rascals again just
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2347
for fun. They answered and told me to come on to Chicago. They said telegraph to J. Smith when I would
start. When I get there I’m to wait on a certain street corner till a man in a gray suit comes along and
drops a newspaper in front of me. Then I am to ask him how the water is, and he knows it’s me and I
know it’s him.’ “‘Ah, yes,’ says Andy, gaping, ‘it’s the same old game. I’ve often read about it in the
papers. Then he conducts you to the private abattoir in the hotel, where Mr. Jones is already waiting.
They show you brand new real money and sell you all you want at five for one. You see ’em put it in a
satchel for you and know it’s there. Of course it’s brown paper when you come to look at it afterward.’
Page 2348
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2348
“‘Oh, they couldn’t switch it on me,’ says Murkison. ‘I haven’t
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2348
built up the best paying business in Grassdale without having witticisms about me. You say it’s real
money they show you, Mr. Tucker?’ “‘I’ve always — I see by the papers that it always is,’ says Andy.
“‘Boys,’ says Murkison, ‘I’ve got it in my mind that them fellows can’t fool me. I think I’ll put a couple of
thousand in my jeans and go up there and put it all over ’em. If Bill Murkison gets his eyes once on them
bills they show him he’ll never take ’em off of ’em. They offer $5 for $1, and they’ll have to stick to
Page 2349
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2349
the bargain if I tackle ’em. That’s the kind of trader Bill Murkison is. Yes, I jist believe I’ll drop up Chicago
way and take a 5 to 1 shot on J. Smith. I guess the water’ll be fine enough.’ “Me and Andy tries to get this
financial misquotation out of Murkison’s head, but we might as well have tried to keep the man who
rolls peanuts with a toothpick from betting on Bryan’s election. No, sir; he was going to perform a public
duty by catching these green goods swindlers at their own game. Maybe it would teach ’em a lesson.
2
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2349
“After Murkison left us me and Andy sat a while prepondering over our silent meditations and heresies
of reason. In our idle hours we always improved our higher selves by ratiocination and mental thought.
“‘Jeff,’ says Andy after a long time, ‘quite unseldom I have seen fit to impugn your molars when you
have been chewing the rag with me about your conscientious way of doing business. I may have been
often wrong. But here is a case where I think we can agree. I feel that it would be wrong for us to allow
Mr.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2349
Murkison to go alone to meet those Chicago green goods men. There is but one way it can end. Don’t you
think we would both feel better if we was to intervene in some way and prevent the doing of this deed?’
“I got up and shook Andy Tucker’s hand hard and long. “‘Andy,’ says I, ‘I may have had one or two hard
thoughts about the heartlessness of your corporation, but I retract ’em now. You have a kind nucleus at
the interior of your exterior after all. It does you credit. I was just thinking the same thing
Page 2350
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2350
that you have expressed. It would not be honorable or praiseworthy,’ says I, ‘for us to let Murkison go on
with this project he has taken up. If he is determined to go let us go with him and prevent this swindle
from coming off.’ “Andy agreed with me; and I was glad to see that he was in earnest about breaking up
this green goods scheme. “‘I don’t call myself a religious man,’ says I, ‘or a fanatic in moral bigotry, but I
can’t stand still and see a man who has built up his business by his own efforts and brains and risk be
robbed by an unscrupulous trickster who is a menace to the public good.’ “‘Right, Jeff,’ says Andy. ‘We’ll
stick right along with Murkison if he insists on going and block this funny business. I’d hate to see any
money dropped in it as bad as you would.’ “Well, we went to see Murkison. “‘No, boys,’ says he. ‘I can’t
consent to let the song of this Chicago siren waft by me on the summer breeze. I’ll fry some fat out of this
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2350
ignis fatuus or burn a hole in the skillet. But I’d be plumb diverted to death to have you all go along with
me. Maybe you could help some when it comes to cashing in the ticket to that 5 to 1 shot. Yes, I’d really
take it as a pastime and regalement if you boys would go along too.’ “Murkison gives it out in Grassdale
that he is going for a few days with Mr. Peters and Mr. Tucker to look over some iron ore property in
West Virginia. He wires J. Smith that he will set foot in the spider web
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2350
on a given date; and the three of us lights out for Chicago. “On the way Murkison amuses himself with
premonitions and advance pleasant recollections. “‘In a gray suit,’ says he, ‘on the southwest corner of
Wabash avenue and Lake street. He drops the paper, and I ask how the water is. Oh, my, my, my!’ And
then he laughs all over for five minutes. “Sometimes Murkison was serious and tried to talk himself out
of his cogitations, whatever they was.
3
Page 2351
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
“‘Boys,’ says he, ‘I wouldn’t have this to get out in Grassdale for ten times a thousand dollars. It would
ruin me there. But I know you all are all right. I think it’s the duty of every citizen,’ says he, ‘to try to do
up these robbers that prey upon the public. I’ll show ’em whether the water’s fine. Five dollars for one —
that’s what J. Smith offers, and he’ll have to keep his contract if he does business with Bill Murkison.’
“We got into Chicago about 7 p.m. Murkison was to meet the gray man at half past 9. We had dinner at a
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
hotel and then went up to Murkison’s room to wait for the time to come. “‘Now, boys,’ says Murkison,
‘let’s get our gumption together and inoculate a plan for defeating the enemy. Suppose while I’m
exchanging airy bandage with the gray capper you gents come along, by accident, you know, and holler:
“Hello, Murk!” and shake hands with symptoms of surprise and familiarity. Then I take the capper aside
and tell him you all are Jenkins and Brown of Grassdale, groceries and feed,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
good men and maybe willing to take a chance while away from home.’ “‘“Bring ’em along,” he’ll say, of
course, “if they care to invest.” Now, how does that scheme strike you?’ “‘What do you say, Jeff?’ says
Andy, looking at me. “‘Why, I’ll tell you what I say,’ says I. ‘I say let’s settle this thing right here now. I
don’t see any use of wasting any more time.’ I took a nickel-plated .38 out of my pocket and clicked the
cylinder around a few times.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2351
“‘You undevout, sinful, insidious hog,’ says I to Murkison, ‘get out that two thousand and lay it on the
table. Obey with velocity,’ says I, ‘for otherwise alternatives are impending. I am preferably a man of
mildness, but now and then I find myself in the middle of extremities. Such men as you,’ I went on after
he had laid the money out, ‘is what keeps the jails and court houses going. You come up here to rob these
men of their money. Does it excuse you?’ I asks, ‘that they were trying to skin you? No, sir; you was going
Page 2352
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2352
to rob Peter to stand off Paul. You are ten times worse,’ says I, ‘than that green goods man. You go to
church at home and pretend to be a decent citizen, but you’ll come to Chicago and commit larceny from
men that have built up a sound and profitable business by dealing with such contemptible scoundrels as
you have tried to be to-day. How do you know,’ says I, ‘that that green goods man hasn’t a large family
dependent upon his extortions? It’s you supposedly respectable citizens who are always on the lookout
to
4
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2352
get something for nothing,’ says I, ‘that support the lotteries and wild-cat mines and stock exchanges
and wire tappers of this country. If it wasn’t for you they’d go out of business. The green goods man you
was going to rob,’ says I, ‘studied maybe for years to learn his trade. Every turn he makes he risks his
money and liberty and maybe his life. You come up here all sanctified and vanoplied with respectability
and a pleasing post office address to swindle him. If he gets the money you can squeal to the police. If
you get it
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he hocks the gray suit to buy supper and says nothing. Mr. Tucker and me sized you up,’ says I, ‘and
came along to see that you got what you deserved. Hand over the money,’ says I, ‘you grass fed
hypocrite.’ “I put the two thousand, which was all in $20 bills, in my inside pocket. “‘Now get out your
watch,’ says I to Murkison. ‘No, I don’t want it,’ says I. ‘Lay it on the table and you sit in that chair till it
ticks off an hour. Then you can go. If you make any noise or leave any sooner we’ll
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handbill you all over Grassdale. I guess your high position there is worth more than $2,000 to you.’
“Then me and Andy left. “On the train Andy was a long time silent. Then he says: ‘Jeff, do you mind my
asking you a question?’ “‘Two,’ says I, ‘or forty.’ “‘Was that the idea you had,’ says he, ‘when we started
out with Murkison?’ “‘Why, certainly,’ says I. ‘What else could it have been? Wasn’t it yours, too?’
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“In about half an hour Andy spoke again. I think there are times when Andy don’t exactly understand
my system of ethics and moral hygiene. “‘Jeff,’ says he, ‘some time when you have the leisure I wish you’
d draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours. I’d like to have it to refer to
occasionally.’”
April 12, 2024
Two grifters have made themselves at home in a friendly town. However, when a wealthy man looks like he is going to go for a scam, with the idea of exposing the scammers, the two try to stop him- one for an unexpected reason. Did NOT see that twist coming!
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