The Rake-Off

"The Rake-Off" by O. Henry is a humorous short story that explores the themes of deception, rivalry, and the unpredictable nature of fortune. The plot revolves around a group of poker players who engage in a high-stakes game, each trying to outwit the others. As the tension escalates, unexpected twists reveal the characters' true intentions and the whimsical absurdities of their situation. O. Henry's witty prose and clever dialogue highlight the complexities of human behavior, making it a delightful read that captures the essence of chance and ambition.

• Short story

								
"Who bids?"

The auctioneer held up a child's rocking-horse, battered and stained.
It had belonged to some little member of the man's family whose
household property was being sold under the hammer.

He was utterly ruined. He had given up everything in the world to his
creditors--house, furniture, horses, stock of goods and lands. He stood
among the crowd watching the sale that was scattering his household
goods and his heirlooms among a hundred strange hands.

On his arm leaned a woman heavily veiled. "Who bids?"

The auctioneer held the rocking-horse high that it might be seen.
Childish hands had torn away the scanty mane; the bridle was twisted
and worn by tender little fingers. The crowd was still.

The woman under the heavy veil sobbed and stretched out her hands.

"No, no, no!" she cried.

The man was white with emotion. The little form that once so merrily
rode the old rockinghouse had drifted away into the world years ago.
This was the only relic left of his happy infancy.

The auctioneer, with a queer moisture in his eyes, handed the
rocking-horse to the man without a word. He seized it with eager
hands, and he and the veiled woman hurried away.

The crowd murmured with sympathy.

The man and the woman went into an empty room and set the
rocking-horse down. He took out his knife, ripped open the front of
the horse, and took out a roll of bills. He counted them and said:
"It's a cold day when I fail without a rake-off. Eight thousand five
hundred dollars, but that auctioneer came very near busting up the
game."
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