Hearts and Hands Summary

Hearts and Hands Context and Summary

Context

O. Henry was born as William Sydney Porter in 1862 at Greensboro, North Carolina. Before he took up writing full time, he worked as a pharmacist, draftsman, and journalist and even as a bank teller..

O. Henry is remembered for his short stories, particularly his use of clever wordplay and unexpected endings. His stories revolve around the lives and aspirations of common people, and often touch upon the themes of coincidence, deception and fate. Cabbages and Kings was his first short story collection. The Four Million, another collection, includes masterpieces like The Gift of the Magi and The Cop and the Anthem.

Hearts and Hands, which was published in 1902, is about an unexpected meeting between two acquaintances, Miss Fairchild and Mr Easton. Miss Fairchild seems to be thrilled to see her old friend as a marshal in the West. However, in true O. Henry style, things aren't really what they seem.

Summary

Here is a summary of the story Hearts and Hands by O. Henry.

Two men enter a train coach handcuffed together. One of them is a handsome, young man while the other is a roughly dressed, grumpy-looking person. The only seat available in the coach is opposite a pretty, young, elegantly dressed lady. As the two men take their seats, the lady, Miss Fairchild, recognises the young man and initiates a handshake. The man, Mr Easton, is somewhat embarrassed as he did not expect to see a familiar face on the train. But he hides his embarrassment quickly. He explains that he cannot shake hands with his right hand as it is cuffed to his companion.

Miss Fairchild turns pale on seeing the handcuffs. Before Easton could offer an explanation, the other man jumps in to elaborate. He explains that Easton is a marshal who is taking him to Leavenworth prison where he will serve a seven-year sentence for forgery. Miss Fairchild is relieved to hear this, and is impressed that Easton is a 'dashing Western hero' pursuing a dangerous profession. When she asks him if he is likely to be in Washington soon, he responds that he no longer has the liberty to travel and socialise as he pleases.

Miss Fairchild then continues making idle conversation, when the other man interrupts asking to be taken to the smoker car. Easton bids farewell to Miss Fairchild, and the two men walk towards the smoker car, leaving the young woman behind.

Two passengers, who are sitting nearby, hear almost the entire conversation. One of them remarks that Easton looked too young to be a marshal. The other passenger is puzzled by this remark, then realises that his co-passenger had failed to notice an important detail- marshals never cuff prisoners to their right hand. It was Easton who was the prisoner, not the other man!