Short Fiction by O. Henry

A Valedictory

Words you’ll meet in this part (12)
valedictory
Relating to a farewell or goodbye, especially in a formal context.
spurts
Sudden bursts or gushes of liquid or energy.
messiah
A savior or liberator of a people, often in a religious context.
spurt
A sudden, forceful gush or burst of liquid.
pajamas
Comfortable clothing worn for sleeping or lounging.
lode
A rich source or supply of something valuable (e.g., a lode of gold).
glittering
Shining brightly with flashes of light.
quartz
A hard mineral composed of silicon dioxide, often found in rocks.
seductive
Tending to entice or attract someone, often in a sexual or romantic way.
pyrites
A shiny yellow mineral, iron disulfide, often called "fool's gold" due to its metallic luster.
scramble
To move or climb quickly using hands and feet.
spurted
Ejected or forced out suddenly in a stream or jet (e.g., liquid).

Short Fiction by O. Henry 12 new words

A

The “Some Postscripts” man on the Post has about reached the end of his vein. These of brilliancy many are capable of, but the sustained light that burns for years to gladden and instruct is a rare quality, and the possessor should be appreciated by the people, for he is the true —the eldest son of the great intellectual lord of the universe.

Brenham Press

Brother, you should not have given us away. We just had to salt that vein before we could get it in the market, and when the “salt” gave out, and the end of the vein was reached, we hoped you wouldn’t notice the fact. If you hadn’t mentioned it we might have gone on for years gladdening and instructing and drawing princely salary, but now our little of our brilliancy will have to put on its and retire between the cold sheets of oblivion. We do not blame you at all for calling the public’s attention to the played-out , for it is a terrible responsibility to guide the footsteps of innocent purchasers who may be taken in by and of iron. To have one whom we regarded as a friend jerk us backward by the left leg when we had made such a successful sneak, and were about to over the back fence of the temple of fame makes us sad, but we do not repine for:

“ ’Twere better to have and lost
Than never to have spurted at all.”

We really intended our light to burn for years, and to have the wick snuffed so quickly, although done in sorrowing kindness, causes us to sputter and smoke a little as we go out.

When the true Messiah comes along and shies his valise over to the night clerk, and turns back his cuffs ready to fill the long-felt want; if he should ever hear the whoops of those unappreciative critics who would crucify him, these few lines may teach him to fly to Brenham where his papa, the great intellectual lord of the universe, will protect him.

Here, Known, Learning and Ignore only change this page. In your own library they are kept: a Known word is never underlined again, and a Learning one waits for you in My Words.

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