The Four Million (Henry)

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The Four Million
 
Summary of the book
Microsummary: A collection of short stories set in early 1900s New York City, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and irony through the lives of everyday people, often with unexpected twists and poignant endings.

Tobin's Palm

Tobin's Palm (Henry)

Two friends visited a palmist who predicted trouble, financial loss, and good luck from a man with a crooked nose. The predictions came true, leading to a lost sweetheart's reunion.

The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi (Henry)

A young couple sold their most prized possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts, only to discover their sacrifices made the gifts unusable, highlighting their love and devotion.

A Cosmopolite in a Café

A Cosmopolite in a Café (Henry)

In a crowded café, a man claimed to be a cosmopolite with no attachment to any specific place. However, when his hometown was insulted, he fiercely defended it, revealing his true loyalties.

Between Rounds

Between Rounds (Henry)

In a city boarding house, a couple constantly argued. When the owner's son went missing, the couple shared a tender moment, imagining their own child lost. The boy was found, and life resumed.

The Skylight Room

The Skylight Room (Henry)

A landlady showed a small working girl a room on the third floor, which she took. The next morning, she was found unconscious and taken to the hospital, where the doctor said she would recover.

A Service of Love

A Service of Love (Henry)

Two young artists sacrifice their pride and comfort for the sake of their art when money gets tight, with one taking on a job teaching music lessons and the other taking on a job in a laundry.

The Coming-Out of Maggie

The Coming-Out of Maggie (Henry)

A plain girl brought a charming suitor to a dance, pretending he was from a respected family. The club leader confronted him, leading to a near-violent altercation. The girl confessed the truth, finding redemption.

Man About Town

Man About Town (Henry)

A man goes on a search to find a Man About Town, but ends up getting hit by a car and taken to the hospital, where the newspaper article about the accident describes him as a typical Man About Town.

The Cop and the Anthem

The Cop and the Anthem (Henry)

A homeless man tries to get arrested by committing crimes, but fails. He is then inspired by music from a church and decides to change his life, only to be arrested for loitering outside of it.

An Adjustment of Nature

An Adjustment of Nature (Henry)

Three friends admired a waitress at a restaurant and feared she would be taken away by a wealthy man. They took action to prevent this by getting the wealthy man drunk and sending him away.

Memoirs of a Yellow Dog

Memoirs of a Yellow Dog (Henry)

A yellow dog is taken out for a walk every evening by his owner, who is often unhappy and henpecked. One evening, the dog discovers a way to make his owner happy and they escape together to the mountains.

The Love-Philtre of Ikey Schoenstein

The Love-Philtre of Ikey Schoenstein (Henry)

A night clerk at a drugstore created a sleeping powder for a man planning to elope with the clerk's crush. The man changed his mind, using the powder on the girl's father, and successfully eloped.

Mammon and the Archer

Mammon and the Archer (Henry)

A father and son discussed how money can't buy time, but the son was able to win the heart of a woman without money when a street blockade caused them to be stuck in a cab for two hours.

Springtime à la Carte

Springtime à la Carte (Henry)

A young typist, heartbroken over her farmer lover's silence, accidentally typed a love message on a restaurant menu. The farmer, who had been searching for her, recognized her typing and they reunited.

The Green Door

The Green Door (Henry)

A young adventurer, intrigued by mysterious cards, discovered a starving girl behind a green door. He provided her food and comfort, and they bonded over their shared loneliness in the city.

From the Cabby's Seat

From the Cabby's Seat (Henry)

A cab driver picks up a fare, not knowing it is his newly-wed wife. After a night of revelry, the driver takes her to the park and the casino before realizing who she is and taking her home.

An Unfinished Story

An Unfinished Story (Henry)

A young woman working in a department store struggled financially. She received an invitation to a fancy dinner but ultimately canceled, choosing to uphold her values and dignity despite her hardships.

The Caliph, Cupid and the Clock

The Caliph, Cupid and the Clock (Henry)

A wealthy prince, disguised as a poor man, comforted a distressed young man in a park. He offered assistance and hope, leading to the young man's reconciliation with his fiancée and a happy ending.

Sisters of the Golden Circle

Sisters of the Golden Circle (Henry)

A newlywed couple on a sightseeing tour in New York City helped another newlywed couple escape from the police, leading to a chaotic scene and the husband's temporary arrest before the truth was revealed.

The Romance of a Busy Broker

The Romance of a Busy Broker (Henry)

A busy broker, consumed by his work, forgot he had requested a new stenographer. Amidst the chaos, he impulsively proposed to his current stenographer, only to be reminded they had married the night before.

After Twenty Years

After Twenty Years (Henry)

A man waited at a prearranged meeting spot for a friend he hadn't seen in 20 years. When the friend arrived, he couldn't bring himself to arrest the man, so he sent another officer instead.

Lost on Dress Parade

Lost on Dress Parade (Henry)

A young architect treated himself to a luxurious evening out every ten weeks. One evening, he met a modestly dressed woman, and they dined together. He pretended to be wealthy, hiding his true, hardworking nature.

By Courier

By Courier (Henry)

A young lady misinterpreted her lover's actions, believing he was unfaithful. He sent a message through a boy, explaining his innocence. She realized her mistake after reading a letter and asked for reconciliation.

The Furnished Room

The Furnished Room (Henry)

A young man searched for a missing singer, renting a room in a house. Unbeknownst to him, she had committed suicide in the same room a week prior. Overwhelmed by despair, he ended his life there too.

The Brief Début of Tildy

The Brief Début of Tildy (Henry)

In a popular early 1900s restaurant, a plain waitress experienced a brief moment of attention from a man, only to have her hopes dashed when he apologized, claiming he was drunk.