The Struggle of the Outliers (Henry)

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by AI, so it may contain errors.

O. Henry

The Struggle of the Outliers

Summary of the Short Story

Microsummary: A wealthy man fought a local tough for the love of a beautiful Irish girl, ultimately winning her as a cook for his suburban home.

Lawrence Holcombe, a prosperous businessman, frequently visited a certain street on the outskirts of the city. There, he met Katie Flynn, a beautiful young woman who lived with her mother in a small cottage.

👨🏻‍💼

Lawrence Holcombe — prosperous business man; handsome, determined, and willing to fight for what he wants.

👩🏻‍💻

Katie Flynn — beautiful Irish girl; strong, graceful, and playful.

Holcombe was smitten with Katie and wanted to marry her, but she was hesitant due to the objections of Danny Conlan, a local middleweight fighter who also had feelings for her.

👤

Danny Conlan — local tough; truculent, once champion middleweight fighter, but fair-minded.

Holcombe confronted Conlan and challenged him to a fight, with the winner getting Katie's hand. Conlan agreed, and the two men fought in a secluded gully. Holcombe said to Katie, "I am not sure but what I’d tackle him a few rounds myself, with you for the prize; although I’m somewhat rusty with the gloves."

I am not sure but what I’d tackle him a few rounds myself, with you for the prize; although I’m somewhat rusty with the gloves.

Despite being out of practice, Holcombe managed to defeat Conlan, who then graciously accepted the outcome and removed his objections to the marriage. Danny Conlan said to Holcombe, "You’re all right,” he conceded with gruff candour. “I didn’t think you was that sort. You’re all right."

You’re all right,” he conceded with gruff candour. “I didn’t think you was that sort. You’re all right.

The next day, Holcombe returned to the cottage to take Katie away, but she first tended to Conlan's injuries, showing compassion for the defeated man. Holcombe and Katie then made plans to start their life together, with Holcombe ecstatic about his victory and the prospect of a future with Katie. Holcombe said to Katie, "Tomorrow,” he said to Katie, with head erect and beaming eyes. “Tomorrow, if you like,” answered Katie.

“Tomorrow,” he said to Katie, with head erect and beaming eyes. “Tomorrow, if you like,” answered Katie.

Meanwhile, Holcombe's friend and neighbor, Weatherly, struggled with the typical suburban problems of finding reliable help and dealing with unreliable services. When he learned that Holcombe had successfully engaged Katie as a cook, he expressed envy at his friend's good fortune.