The Fifth Wheel Page #4

"The Fifth Wheel" by O. Henry is a charming short story that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative follows the life of a man who, feeling like an outsider in his social circle, navigates the intricacies of friendship and unrequited love. Through O. Henry's signature wit and twisty storytelling, the story unveils the idea that true connections often come from unexpected places, highlighting the nuances of emotional dependence and the importance of seeing beyond the surface in our interactions with others.

• Short story

								

could dig up half a dollar for him so he could get a decent bed I’d
like it.”

Annie’s fingers began to wiggle in her purse.

“Sure, I’ve got money,” said she. “Lots of it. Twelve dollars.” And
then she added, with woman’s ineradicable suspicion of vicarious
benevolence: “Bring him here and let me see him first.”

Thomas went on his mission. The wan Bed Liner came readily enough. As
the two drew near, Annie looked up from her purse and screamed:

“Mr. Walter— Oh—Mr. Walter!

“Is that you, Annie?” said the young man meekly.

“Oh, Mr. Walter!—and the Missis hunting high and low for you!”

“Does mother want to see me?” he asked, with a flush coming out on his
pale cheek.

“She’s been hunting for you high and low. Sure, she wants to see you.
She wants you to come home. She’s tried police and morgues and lawyers
and advertising and detectives and rewards and everything. And then she
took up clearvoyants. You’ll go right home, won’t you, Mr. Walter?”

“Gladly, if she wants me,” said the young man. “Three years is a long
time. I suppose I’ll have to walk up, though, unless the street cars
are giving free rides. I used to walk and beat that old plug team of
bays we used to drive to the carriage. Have they got them yet?”

“They have,” said Thomas, feelingly. “And they’ll have ’em ten years
from now. The life of the royal elephantibus truckhorseibus is one
hundred and forty-nine years. I’m the coachman. Just got my
reappointment five minutes ago. Let’s all ride up in a surface car—that
is—er—if Annie will pay the fares.”

On the Broadway car Annie handed each one of the prodigals a nickel to
pay the conductor.

“Seems to me you are mighty reckless the way you throw large sums of
money around,” said Thomas sarcastically.

“In that purse,” said Annie decidedly, “is exactly $11.85. I shall take
every cent of it to-morrow and give it to professor Cherubusco, the
greatest man in the world.”

“Well,” said Thomas, “I guess he must be a pretty fly guy to pipe off
things the way he does. I’m glad his spooks told him where you could
find me. If you’ll give me his address, some day I’ll go up there,
myself, and shake his hand.”

Presently Thomas moved tentatively in his seat, and thoughtfully felt
an abrasion or two on his knees and his elbows.

“Say, Annie,” said he confidentially, maybe it’s one of the last dreams
of booze, but I’ve a kind of a recollection of riding in an automobile
with a swell guy that took me to a house full of eagles and arc lights.
He fed me on biscuits and hot air, and then kicked me down the front
steps. If it was the d t’s, why am I so sore?”

“Shut up, you fool,” said Annie.

“If I could find that funny guy’s house,” said Thomas, in conclusion,
“I’d go up there some day and punch his nose for him.”
								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes