Short Fiction by O. Henry

Hush Money

Words you’ll meet in this part (3)
hush
To make or become quiet or silent.
alderman
A senior member of a municipal council or local government.
paregoric
A medicinal substance used to relieve pain or soothe irritation, especially in the digestive tract.

Short Fiction by O. Henry 3 new words

Money

He was a great practical joker, and never lost a chance to get a good one on somebody. A few days ago he stopped a friend on Main Street and said, confidentially:

“I never would have believed it, but I believe it my duty to make it known. Mr. ———, the for our ward, has been taking hush money.”

“Impossible!” said his friend.

“I tell you, it’s true, for I overheard the conversation and actually saw it handed over to him, and he took the money and put it in his pocket.”

Then he went on without explaining any further, and the thing got talked around considerably for a day or two.

He forgot all about it until one day he met the and suffered from the encounter to the extent of two black eyes and a coat split up the back.

And then he had to go all round and explain that what he meant was that he had seen the alderman’s wife give him a dime to buy some for the baby.

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