Options (short story collection, Henry)
The Rose of Dixie
A magazine editor in the South is approached by a New York magazine promoter who wants to increase the magazine's circulation by publishing articles from Northern authors. The editor is hesitant to accept the offer and instead considers publishing a remarkable article by an unknown author.
The Third Ingredient
A woman who has been recently fired from her job forms an unlikely friendship with a struggling artist, and together they make a beef stew with the only ingredient they have - an onion.
The Hiding of Black Bill
A red-faced man, who was actually the train robber Black Bill, befriends a sheep rancher named H. Ogden and works as a sheep-herder on his ranch. When the authorities come looking for Black Bill, the red-faced man betrays his friend and collects the reward money.
Schools and Schools
A wealthy man takes in his late brother's daughter and plans for her to marry his adopted son. However, complications arise when the daughter falls in love with the son's friend.
Thimble, Thimble
Two cousins, Blandford and John Carteret, run a mill supplies and leather belting business in New York. When their old family servant, Uncle Jake, brings a watch from their mother, they play a game to see who he recognizes as his 'young marster.'
Supply and Demand
A hat-cleaner named Finch tells a story about a man who claimed to have found a tribe of Indians with gold, but the Indians had no use for it. The man becomes a miser, hoarding the gold while the Indians revolt.
Buried Treasure
A man, driven by love, embarks on a quest to find buried treasure, facing challenges and rivalries along the way, only to discover that the real treasure was the love he found.
To Him Who Waits
A hermit living in a cave is visited by a young woman who expresses her admiration for his lifestyle. However, he rejects her advances due to his devotion to a lost love.
He Also Serves
A man named Hunky Magee recounts his adventures with his friend High Jack Snakefeeder, including a trip to Mexico where they encounter ruins and a mysterious girl.
The Moment of Victory
A war veteran reflects on the motives behind men's pursuit of ambition and glory, sharing the story of Willie Robbins, a meek man who becomes a hero in the eyes of his town.
The Head-Hunter
A man fascinated by the head-hunters of the Philippines falls in love with a woman who values small gestures of love. He goes to extreme lengths to prove his love, but ends up in a fever-induced delusion.
No Story
A reporter met a young woman searching for her childhood sweetheart before her arranged marriage. After helping her return home, he discovered his alcoholic colleague was her lost love in disguise.
The Higher Pragmatism
A man, inspired by a conversation with a park bench philosopher, overcomes his fear of confessing his love to a woman, only to find out he had accidentally confessed to her sister instead.
Best-Seller
A man named John A. Pescud meets an old acquaintance on a train and discusses his dislike for best-selling novels that feature American men falling in love with European princesses.
Rus in Urbe
A man tried to convince his wealthy friend that the city was the best place to spend the summer, but both eventually realized they preferred the countryside, leading to a romantic outcome.
A Poor Rule
A group of men in a small town compete for the affections of Ileen Hinkle, a young woman who values honesty and frankness. One man's flattery is exposed, and Ileen leaves for Boston to pursue her dreams.