Had a Use for it

"Had a Use for It" is a poignant short story by O. Henry that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the value of possessions. The narrative centers on a poor man who is deeply in love with his wife and wishes to give her a special gift. When he unexpectedly finds an item that he believes will delight her, he must confront his own financial struggles and the harsh realities of life. O. Henry masterfully weaves humor and melancholy, emphasizing the importance of sentiment over material wealth in this touching tale.

• Short story

								
A strong scent of onions and the kind of whisky advertised "for
mechanical purposes" came through the keyhole, closely followed by an
individual bearing a bulky manuscript under his arm about the size of
a roll of wall paper.

The individual was of the description referred to by our English
cousins as "one of the lower classes," and by Populist papers as "the
bone and sinew of the country," and the scene of his invasion was the
sanctum of a great Texas weekly newspaper.

The editor sat at his desk with his hands clenched in his scanty hair,
gazing despairingly at a typewritten letter from the house where he
bought his paper supply.

The individual drew a chair close to the editor and laid the heavy
manuscript upon the desk, which creaked beneath its weight.

"I've worked nineteen hours upon it," he said, "but it's done at
last."

"What is it?" asked the editor, "a lawn mower?"

"It is an answer, sir, to the President's message: a refutation of
each and every one of his damnable doctrines, a complete and scathing
review of every assertion and every false insidious theory that he has
advanced."

"About how many--er--how many pounds do you think it contains?" said the
editor thoughtfully.

"Five hundred and twenty-seven pages, sir, and--"

"Written in pencil on one side of the paper?" asked the editor, with a
strange light shining in his eye.

"Yes, and it treats of--"

"You can leave it," said the editor, rising from his chair. "I have no
doubt I can use it to advantage."

The individual, with a strong effort, collected his breath and
departed, feeling that a fatal blow had been struck at those in high
places.

Ten minutes later six india-rubber erasers had been purchased, and the
entire office force were at work upon the manuscript.

The great weekly came out on time, but the editor gazed pensively at
his last month's unreceipted paper bill and said:

"So far, so good; but I wonder what we will print on next week!"
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