Rolling Stones (short story collection, Henry)
The Dream
A condemned man awaited his execution in an electric chair, contemplating his fate and interacting with fellow prisoners. As he was strapped in, he experienced a vivid, life-altering dream.
A Ruler of Men
A man named Kansas Bill Bowers meets his old friend, Kansas Bill, who tells him about his adventures in a tropical country where he planned a revolution but ended up being imprisoned.
The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear
A man named John Tom Little Bear, an educated Cherokee Indian, and his friend Jeff Peters embark on a swindling scheme in Kansas, but their plans are interrupted when they encounter a young boy who believes he is a boy avenger hunting Indians.
Helping the Other Fellow
A man helped his friend overcome alcoholism and save a country, but couldn't improve his own life. He declined a job offer to stay with a woman he loved, realizing everyone has their own weaknesses.
The Marionettes
A doctor, who is also a skilled burglar, is called to attend to a man who is gravely ill. The man reveals the location of stolen money, but it turns out to be a lie.
The Marquis and Miss Sally
A young man and woman, both disguised as cowboys, unknowingly marry each other during a prank wedding ceremony in a cow camp, revealing their true identities afterward.
A Fog in Santone
Two terminally ill men met in a foggy city and tried to hasten their deaths by excessive drinking, but one of them found hope and a reason to live after meeting a young woman.
The Friendly Call
A man helped his best friend by marrying the woman his friend was trying to avoid, only to endure a tumultuous marriage and eventually help his friend again when she left him.
A Dinner at _____
An author struggled to control his fictional character, who insisted on dining at a specific restaurant, fearing it would make him seem like a tout for the establishment.
Sound and Fury
An author dictated his love story to an amanuensis, who frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted his words, leading to humorous exchanges and misunderstandings between them.
Tictocq
A French detective was hired to recover a stolen pair of socks belonging to a Populist Candidate, which he did by accusing a pianist at a high-society party, ultimately affecting the political race.
Tracked to Doom
A notorious criminal murdered his wife in a cellar, and a famous detective tried to solve the case, leading to a series of disguises, deceptions, and unexpected twists.
A Snapshot at the President
A reporter from a Texas newspaper traveled to Washington D.C. to interview President Cleveland, encountering misunderstandings and humorous situations before finally having a conversation with the President.
An Unfinished Christmas Story
A man encountered a mysterious landlady who managed three connected houses, and observed the struggles of a young man with no friends or family during Christmas in a big city.
The Unprofitable Servant
A talented amateur dancer named Mac McGowan is given the opportunity to be coached by the famous Del Delano and achieve success in the world of professional dancing.
Aristocracy Versus Hash
A desperate man searched for an affordable boarding house, but only found ones run by aristocratic widows who charged exorbitant prices for their society and meager meals.
The Prisoner of Zembla
A king held a tournament for his daughter's hand in marriage, but the winning knight only wanted the king's endorsement for a monkey wrench patent, leaving the princess behind.
A Strange Story
A man went to get medicine for his daughter's colic but never returned. Years later, his granddaughter suffered the same ailment, and he reappeared as an old man with the medicine.
Fickle Fortune or How Gladys Hustled
A young lawyer lost his first case and his love interest, who demanded a wealthy husband. After discovering his fortune, he returned to claim her, only to lose her again to a rival.
An Apology
The narrator, who is responsible for writing a humorous paper, apologizes for missing two issues due to being ill with measles and the flu, and promises to extend subscribers' terms.
Lord Oakhurst’s Curse
A dying man reminisces about his love for his young wife, while she anxiously awaits the arrival of a famous physician, who ultimately pronounces the man dead and steals valuable items from the room.
Bexar Scrip No. 2692
A cunning land agent fraudulently claimed a widow's valuable property, but her son discovered the deception and confronted the agent, leading to a violent and tragic outcome.
Queries and Answers
A newspaper editor humorously responds to various questions from readers, providing witty and sarcastic answers to inquiries about literature, history, and personal advice.