His Dilemma book cover

His Dilemma

"His Dilemma" is a short story by O. Henry that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human emotion. The narrative centers around a young man faced with a moral and romantic quandary when he encounters his ex-girlfriend. As he grapples with his feelings for her and the situation he finds himself in, O. Henry weaves a tale rich with irony and bittersweet humor, ultimately leading to a surprising resolution that reflects the unpredictability of love and life. With O. Henry's signature style, the story offers a poignant look at the choices we make and the dilemmas that define us.


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Submitted by davidb on February 24, 2025


								
An old man with long white chin whiskers and a derby hat two sizes small, dropped into a Main Street drug store yesterday and beckoned a clerk over into a corner. He was about sixty-five years old, but he wore a bright red necktie, and was trying to smoke a very bad and strong cigar in as offhand a style as possible. "Young man," he said, "you lemme ask you a few questions, and I'll send you a big watermelon up from the farm next summer. I came to Houston to see this here carnival, and do some tradin'. Right now, before I go any further, have you got any hair dye?" "Plenty of it." "Any of this real black shiny dye that looks blue in the sunshine?" "Yes." "All right then, now I'll proceed. Do you know anything about this here Monroe docterin'?" "Well, yes, something." "And widders; do you feel able to prognosticate a few lines about widders?" "I can't tell what you are driving at," said the clerk. "What is it you want to know?" "I'm gettin' to the pint. Now there's hair dye, Monroe docterin', and widders. Got them all down in your mind?" "Yes, but--" "Jest hold on, now, and I'll explain. There's the unhappiest fat and sassy widder moved into the adjinin' farm to me, you ever see, and if I knows the female heart she has cast eyes of longin' upon yours truly. Now if I dyes these here white whiskers I ketches her. By blackin' said whiskers and insertin' say four fingers of rye where it properly belongs, I kicks up my heels and I waltzes up and salutes the widder like a calf of forty." "Well," said the clerk, "our hair dye is--" "Wait a minute, young feller. Now on the other hand I hears rumors of wars this mornin', and I hears alarmin' talk about this here Monroe docterin'. Ef I uses hair dye and trains down to thirty-eight or forty years of age, I ketches the widder, but I turns into a peart and chipper youth what is liable to be made to fight in this here great war. Ef I gives up the hair dye, the recrutin' sargent salutes these white hairs and passes by, but I am takin' big chances on the widder. She has been to meetin' twicet with a man what has been divorced, and ties his own cree-vat, and this here Monroe docterin' is all what keeps me from pulling out seventy-five cents and makin' a strong play with said dye. What would you do, ef you was me, young feller?" "I don't think there will be any war soon," said the clerk. "Jerusalem; I'm glad to hear it! Gimme the biggest bottle of blue-black hair dye fur seventy-five cents that you got. I'm goin' to purpose to that widder before it gets dry, and risk the chances of Monroe takin' water again on this war business."
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O. Henry

O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter, was an American short story writer born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is best known for his clever, twist-ending narratives that often explore themes of urban life and human nature. His stories are characterized by witty dialogue, rich character development, and a keen observation of everyday life, illustrating the irony and complexity of human emotions. O. Henry's work has had a lasting impact on the short story genre, and he remains a beloved figure in American literature, with classic tales like "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Ransom of Red Chief" highlighting his unique storytelling style. He passed away on June 5, 1910. more…

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