After Twenty Years
By O. Henry
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The policeman on the beat moved up the avenue impressively. The impressiveness
was habitual and not for show, for spectators were few. The time
was barely 10 oclock at night, but chilly gusts of wind with a taste
of rain in them had well nigh de-peopled the streets.
Trying doors as he went, twirling his club with many intricate
and artful movements, turning now and then to cast his watchful eye adown
the pacific thoroughfare, the officer, with his stalwart form and
slight swagger, made a fine picture of a guardian of the peace. The vicinity
was one that kept early hours. Now and then you might see the lights of
a cigar store or of an all-night lunch counter; but the majority of the
doors belonged to business places that had long since been closed.
When about midway of a certain block the policeman suddenly slowed his
walk. In the doorway of a darkened hardware store a man leaned, with an
unlighted cigar in his mouth. As the policeman walked up to him the man
spoke up quickly.
Its all right, officer, he said, reassuringly. Im
just waiting for a friend. Its an appointment made twenty years
ago. Sounds a little funny to you, doesnt it? Well, Ill explain
if youd like to make certain its all straight. About that
long ago there used to be a restaurant where this store standsBig
Joe Bradys restaurant.
Until five years ago, said the policeman. It was torn
down then.
The man in the doorway struck a match and lit his cigar. The light showed
a pale, square-jawed face with keen eyes, and a little white scar near
his right eyebrow. His scarfpin was a large diamond, oddly set.
Twenty years ago to-night, said the man, I dined here
at Big Joe Bradys with Jimmy Wells, my best chum, and
the finest chap in the world. He and I were raised here in New York, just
like two brothers, together. I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty. The
next morning I was to start for the West to make my fortune. You couldn't
have dragged Jimmy out of New York; he thought it was the only place on
earth. Well, we agreed that night that we would meet here again exactly
twenty years from that date and time, no matter what our conditions might
be or from what distance we might have to come. We figured that in twenty
years each of us ought to have our destiny worked out and our fortunes
made, whatever they were going to be.
It sounds pretty interesting, said the policeman. Rather
a long time between meets, though, it seems to me. Havent you heard
from your friend since you left?
Well, yes, for a time we corresponded, said the other. But
after a year or two we lost track of each other. You see, the West is
a pretty big proposition, and I kept hustling around over it pretty
lively. But I know Jimmy will meet me here if hes alive, for he
always was the truest, staunchest old chap in the world. Hell
never forget. I came a thousand miles to stand in this door to-night,
and its worth it if my old partner turns up.
The waiting man pulled out a handsome watch, the lids of it set with
small diamonds.
Three minutes to ten, he announced. It was exactly
ten oclock when we parted here at the restaurant door.
Did pretty well out West, didnt you? asked the policeman.
You bet! I hope Jimmy has done half as well. He was a kind of plodder,
though, good fellow as he was. Ive had to compete with some of the
sharpest wits going to get my pile. A man gets in a groove in New York.
It takes the West to put a razor-edge on him.
The policeman twirled his club and took a step or two.
Ill be on my way. Hope your friend comes around all right.
Going to call time on him sharp?
I should say not!" said the other. Ill give him
half an hour at least. If Jimmy is alive on earth hell be here by
that time. So long, officer.
Good-night, sir, said the policeman, passing on along his
beat, trying doors as he went.
There was now a fine, cold drizzle falling, and the wind had risen from
its uncertain puffs into a steady blow. The few foot passengers astir
in that quarter hurried dismally and silently along with coat collars
turned high and pocketed hands. And in the door of the hardware store
the man who had come a thousand miles to fill an appointment, uncertain
almost to absurdity, with the friend of his youth, smoked his cigar
and waited.
About twenty minutes he waited, and then a tall man in a long overcoat,
with collar turned up to his ears, hurried across from the opposite side
of the street. He went directly to the waiting man.
Is that you, Bob? he asked, doubtfully.
Is that you, Jimmy Wells? cried the man in the door.
Bless my heart!" exclaimed the new arrival, grasping both
the others hands with his own. Its Bob, sure as fate.
I was certain Id find you here if you were still in existence. Well,
well, well!twenty years is a long time. The old gone, Bob; I wish it
had lasted, so we could have had another dinner there. How has the West
treated you, old man?
Bully; it has given me everything I asked it for. Youve changed
lots, Jimmy. I never thought you were so tall by two or three inches.
Oh, I grew a bit after I was twenty.
Doing well in New York, Jimmy?
Moderately. I have a position in one of the city departments. Come
on, Bob; well go around to a place I know of, and have a good long
talk about old times.
The two men started up the street, arm in arm. The man from the West,
his egotism enlarged by success, was beginning to outline the history
of his career. The other, submerged in his overcoat, listened with
interest.
At the corner stood a drug store, brilliant with electric lights. When
they came into this glare each of them turned simultaneously to gaze upon
the others face.
The man from the West stopped suddenly and released his arm.
Youre not Jimmy Wells, he snapped. Twenty years
is a long time, but not long enough to change a mans nose from a
Roman to a pug.
It sometimes changes a good man into a bad one, said the tall man.
Youve been under arrest for ten minutes, Silky
Bob. Chicago thinks you may have dropped over our way and wires us she
wants to have a chat with you. Going quietly, are you? Thats sensible.
Now, before we go on to the station heres a note I was asked to
hand you. You may read it here at the window. Its from Patrolman
Wells.
The man from the West unfolded the little piece of paper handed him.
His hand was steady when he began to read, but it trembled a little by
the time he had finished. The note was rather short.
Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the
match to light your cigar I saw it was the face of the man wanted in
Chicago. Somehow I couldnt do it myself, so I went around and
got a plain clothes man to do the job. JIMMY.
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