Elsie in New York (Henry)

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O. Henry

Elsie in New York

1909

Summary of the Short Story
from the Collection «The Trimmed Lamp»

Microsummary: A young woman searched for work in New York City, encountering various people trying to protect her from potential dangers, ultimately leading her to a seemingly kind benefactor with ulterior motives.

Elsie, a young girl in New York City, was left with no money and no home after her father's death. Her only hope was a letter from her father's former employer, Mr. Otter, offering to help her. Elsie decided to find work on her own before resorting to Mr. Otter's assistance.

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Elsie — young woman seeking employment; blue-eyed, innocent, determined, and independent.

Elsie's fall tan coat was cheap, but it had the style and fit of the best at Fox & Otter's.

Elsie’s fall tan coat was cheap, but it had the style and fit of the best at Fox & Otter’s.

She first tried to find work as a maid, but was warned by a woman from the Association for the Prevention of Jobs Being Put Up on Working Girls Looking for Jobs that the position might be dangerous. Elsie then applied for a job as a cashier at a confectionery store, but another woman warned her about the evils of selling brandy balls, which contained alcohol. Elsie then considered working at a costume factory, but a religious man convinced her that the theater was sinful and she should not support it.

Finally, Elsie found a job at an artificial flower factory, but a girl on strike convinced her not to take the position. Desperate, Elsie finally sought out Mr. Otter, who offered her a job as a model for his clothing store.

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Mr. Otter — Elsie's father's former employer; middle-aged, slightly corpulent, gold spectacled, polite, well-dressed, and manipulative.

“I guess that puts it up to Mr. Otter again,” said Elsie, ruefully, turning down the street.

“I guess that puts it up to Mr. Otter again,” said Elsie, ruefully, turning down the street.

Elsie was thrilled with the opportunity, but unbeknownst to her, Mr. Otter had ulterior motives and planned to take advantage of her beauty. “A new one — a peacherino, Oscar, a peacherino!” Mr. Otter said over the phone after meeting Elsie, revealing his ulterior motives and objectifying her as he made plans for the evening.

In the end, Elsie's attempts to find work on her own were thwarted by various people who claimed to have her best interests at heart. Despite their efforts to protect her from the dangers of the city, Elsie ultimately fell into the hands of a man who sought to exploit her.