A Call Loan (Henry)

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O. Henry

A Call Loan

Summary of the Short Story
from the Collection «Heart of the West»

Microsummary: A wealthy cattleman and bank president helped his friend avoid resorting to train robbery to repay a loan, ultimately discovering that the friend's brother had already returned with the money.

In the days when cattlemen were wealthy, a man named Long Bill Longley built a fortune in the cattle industry. He eventually settled in the small frontier city of Chaparosa and became the president of the First National Bank.

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Bill Longley — cattleman, bank president; tall, slow-moving, with light-blue eyes; loyal, resourceful.

One day, a national bank examiner named Mr. J. Edgar Todd arrived to inspect the bank's finances.

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J. Edgar Todd — bank examiner; dyspeptic, thorough, strict.

He discovered a call loan of $10,000 made to Thomas Merwin, which was in violation of national banking laws as it was without endorsement or security. Todd informed Longley that he had until the next day to clear the loan or face criminal prosecution.

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Tom Merwin — ranchman; contemplative, loyal, desperate to repay his debt.

Longley approached Merwin, who assured him that he would try to raise the money. Merwin attempted to secure a loan from another bank but was unsuccessful. Desperate to help his friend, Merwin decided to rob a train carrying a shipment of cash. However, Longley followed him and stopped him from committing the crime.

I never thought I'd lay in a bush to stick up a train, but a call loan's different.

As the two men returned to Merwin's house, they heard the sound of a familiar whistle. They found Merwin's brother, Ed, who had just returned from selling a herd of cattle for a significant profit.

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Ed Merwin — Tom's brother; sunburned, firm-jawed, capable.

Ed had brought back $29,000 in cash, which was more than enough to clear the loan and save Longley from prosecution.