Short Fiction by O. Henry

Queries and Answers

Words you’ll meet in this part (10)
queries
Questions or requests for information.
newspaper
A printed publication containing news, articles, and advertisements, usually issued daily or weekly.
telegraphing
Sending messages over long distances using electrical signals.
geologist
A scientist who studies the Earth's physical structure, history, and processes.
colossus
A gigantic statue or monument.
populist
A political approach that seeks to appeal to ordinary people.
vest
A sleeveless garment worn over other clothing.
negro
A term historically used to refer to a person of Black African descent.
watermelon
A large, juicy fruit with green rind and sweet red or pink flesh.
hush
To make or become quiet or silent.

Short Fiction by O. Henry 10 new words

and Answers

Can you inform me where I can buy an interest in a of some kind? I have some money and would be glad to invest it in something of the sort, if someone would allow me to put in my capital against his experience.

College Graduate.

Telegraph us your address at once, day message. Keep every ten minutes at our expense until we see you. Will start on first train after receiving your wire.

Who was the author of the line, “Breathes there a man with soul so dead?”

G. F.

This was written by a visitor to the State Saengerfest of 1892 while conversing with a member who had just eaten a large slice of limburger cheese.

Where can I get the “Testimony of the Rocks”?

.

See the reports of the campaign committees after the election in November.

Please state what the seven wonders of the world are. I know five of them, I think, but can’t find out the other two.

Scholar.

The Temple of Diana, at Lexington, Ky.; the Great Wall of China; Judge Von Rosenberg (the of Roads); the Hanging Gardens at Albany; a San Antonio Sunday school; Mrs. Frank Leslie, and the party.

What day did Christmas come on in the year 1847?

Constant Reader.

The 25th of December.

What does an F.F.V. mean?

Ignorant.

What does he mean by what? If he takes you by the arm and tells you how much you are like a brother of his in Richmond, he means Feel For Your , for he wants to borrow a five. If he holds his head high and don’t speak to you on the street he means that he already owes you ten and is Following a Fresh Victim.

Please decide a bet for us. My friend says that the sentence, “The bought the of the farmer” is correct, and I say it should be “The bought the from the farmer.” Which is correct?

R.

Neither. It should read, “The negro stole the watermelon from the farmer.”

When do the Texas game laws go into effect?

Hunter.

When you sit down at the table.

Do you know where I can trade a section of fine Panhandle land for a pair of pants with a good title?

Land Agent.

We do not. You can’t raise anything on land in that section. A man can always raise a dollar on a good pair of pants.

Name in order the three best newspapers in Texas.

Advertiser.

Well, the Galveston News runs about second, and the San Antonio Express third. Let us hear from you again.

Has a married woman any rights in Texas?

Prospector.

, Mr. Prospector. Not quite so loud, if you please. Come up to the office some afternoon, and if everything seems quiet, come inside, and look at our eye, and our suspenders hanging on to one button, and feel the lump on the top of our head. Yes, she has some rights of her own, and everybody else’s she can scoop in.

Who was the author of the sayings, “A public office is a public trust,” and “I would rather be right than President”?

Eli Perkins.

Is the Lakeside Improvement Company making anything out of their own town tract on the lake?

Inquisitive.

Yes, lots.

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.

Save the words you learn

With a free account, the words you mark go to My Words, the underlines follow your level, and the book remembers where you stopped.

Create your free account