View source for The Complete Life of John Hopkins (Henry)

{{written by AI}}

{{Summary
| Title = The Complete Life of John Hopkins
| Author = O. Henry
| Cycle = [[The_Voice_of_the_City_(short_story_collection,_Henry)|The Voice of the City]]
| Literary form = short story
| Year of publication = 1908
| Microsummary = A man got into a fight with a cigar store owner, was rescued by a chauffeur, and was asked by a lady to confront a man who insulted her, only to be thrown out.
}}

{{Start of text}}

John Hopkins lived in a typical city flat with his wife, who possessed all the attributes of a flat-dweller. One evening, after a quick dinner, John decided to go out and buy a cigar.

{{Quote
| Text = I believe I'll walk down to the corner and get a five-cent cigar.
| Context = John Hopkins decides to go out and buy a cigar after dinner, which leads to the events that unfold in the story.
}}

At the cigar store, he realized he had no money and promised to pay later. The store owner, Freshmayer, attacked him, leading to a fight that spilled onto the street. A policeman joined the fray, and John managed to escape by jumping into a passing red racing automobile.

The driver, a chauffeur named Armand, took John to a mansion where a beautiful young lady asked for his help. She had been insulted by a man in the house and wanted John to confront him.

{{Character
| Name = John Hopkins
| Description = married man working in a city; enjoys cigars and has a sense of chivalry
| Emoji = 👨🏻‍💼
}}

{{Character
| Name = The Lady
| Description = young, beautiful woman; enjoys reading historical novels; seeks help from John
| Emoji = 👧🏻
}}

John agreed and entered the library where the man, Ralph Branscombe, was reading.

{{Quote
| Text = Just show me the guy that you've got the grouch at. I've neglected my talents as a scrapper heretofore, but this is my busy night.
| Context = John Hopkins agrees to help the lady confront the man who insulted her, showcasing his chivalrous nature.
}}

Ralph easily escorted John out of the house, and the lady, Bess, scolded him for not letting her have a St. Bernard dog. The two then reconciled and went to tell their aunt they were in good spirits again.

John returned to his flat and gave a red rose to the janitor's daughter before going inside. He resumed his conversation with his wife about a coworker's new suit, seemingly unfazed by the night's events.

{{End of text}}