What do you think?
Rate this book
Hearts and Hands
"El brevísimo "Camino a Leavenworth" es -qué duda cabe- una pequeña obra maestra de observación psicológica y destreza narrativa. O. Henry toda su capacidad para construir una historia con un mínimo de elementos. La situación es -como muchas veces en sus relatos, como alguna vez en su propia vida- la de un hombre alcanzado por la Ley que debe afrontar socialmente el estigma de su falta. En pocas páginas, el recelo, la sospecha, la simulación y la insólita caridad -habitual deux ex machina de O. Henry- urden una trama perfecta."
Unknown Binding
7 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
O. Henry
2,928 books1,908 followersSuch volumes as
Cabbages and Kings
(1904) and
The Four Million
(1906) collect short stories, noted for their often surprising endings, of American writer William Sydney Porter, who used the pen name O. Henry.
His biography shows where he found inspiration for his characters. His era produced their voices and his language.
Mother of three-year-old Porter died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen years of age and worked for five years in drugstore of his uncle and then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884, he went to Austin, where he worked in a real estate office and a church choir and spent four years as a draftsman in the general land office. His wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
He failed to establish a small humorous weekly and afterward worked in poorly-run bank. When its accounts balanced not, people blamed and fired him.
In Houston, he worked for a few years until, ordered to stand trial for embezzlement, he fled to New Orleans and thence Honduras.
Two years later, he returned on account of illness of his wife. Apprehended, Porter served a few months more than three years in a penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. During his incarceration, he composed ten short stories, including A Blackjack Bargainer , The Enchanted Kiss , and The Duplicity of Hargraves .
In 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he sent manuscripts to New York editors. In the spring of 1902, Ainslee's Magazine offered him a regular income if he moved to New York.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
People rewarded other persons financially more. A Retrieved Reformation about the safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine got $250; six years later, $500 for dramatic rights, which gave over $100,000 royalties for playwright Paul Armstrong. Many stories have been made into films.
His biography shows where he found inspiration for his characters. His era produced their voices and his language.
Mother of three-year-old Porter died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen years of age and worked for five years in drugstore of his uncle and then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884, he went to Austin, where he worked in a real estate office and a church choir and spent four years as a draftsman in the general land office. His wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
He failed to establish a small humorous weekly and afterward worked in poorly-run bank. When its accounts balanced not, people blamed and fired him.
In Houston, he worked for a few years until, ordered to stand trial for embezzlement, he fled to New Orleans and thence Honduras.
Two years later, he returned on account of illness of his wife. Apprehended, Porter served a few months more than three years in a penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. During his incarceration, he composed ten short stories, including A Blackjack Bargainer , The Enchanted Kiss , and The Duplicity of Hargraves .
In 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he sent manuscripts to New York editors. In the spring of 1902, Ainslee's Magazine offered him a regular income if he moved to New York.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
People rewarded other persons financially more. A Retrieved Reformation about the safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine got $250; six years later, $500 for dramatic rights, which gave over $100,000 royalties for playwright Paul Armstrong. Many stories have been made into films.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 10, 2022
Typical of O.Henry, everything is not what it seems and there is a sweetness in the finding of kindness in unexpected places.
April 25, 2017
I have arranged my thoughts into a haiku:
"Just a moment's peace,
Offered like it was nothing,
Tells all you need know."
"Just a moment's peace,
Offered like it was nothing,
Tells all you need know."
June 21, 2016
3 STARS
[I couldn't find better]
WHAT! What just happened! I can't understand what I have just read. What was the story in the beginning and what it became in the end. *so confused right now* (@_@)
*OVERVIEW
This story has not much which I can describe. But for the love of overview I will try.
This is the story of a girl and a boy (literally, there are two but I don't consider second one) who are old friends, meet in the bus. Girl's friend is a marshal (maybe) who has a prisoner handcuffed with himself. Girl is an ambassador. They talk about their lives.
I think this story didn't have much which I can compare for likes or dislikes. It was just an unexpected story for me.
*MY REACTIONS WHILE READING
In the beginning, story was going straight forward. Nothing special happened which I can consider.
BUT
In the ending, my eyes came out of my eye's sockets and never came back lol! You want to know why? I will give the last sentence of the story I hope you will understand.
Strict Note: Don't open spoiler if you don't want to know about the ending.
*RECOMMENDATION
I highly recommend this story to those who are bored and have nothing to do.
*NOTE
Frankly speaking, I gave this story 2.5 stars (half rating) because I couldn't understand I liked this story or didn't. but for an unexpected ending I added 0.5 I think it's fair enough.
I hope you like my review if you don't then please! point out my mistakes. I would be happy to see that
Thanks for you attention!
*WHERE TO READ
Just click the below link and enjoy (maybe) reading!
CLICK ME!
[I couldn't find better]
WHAT! What just happened! I can't understand what I have just read. What was the story in the beginning and what it became in the end. *so confused right now* (@_@)
*OVERVIEW
This story has not much which I can describe. But for the love of overview I will try.
This is the story of a girl and a boy (literally, there are two but I don't consider second one) who are old friends, meet in the bus. Girl's friend is a marshal (maybe) who has a prisoner handcuffed with himself. Girl is an ambassador. They talk about their lives.
I think this story didn't have much which I can compare for likes or dislikes. It was just an unexpected story for me.
*MY REACTIONS WHILE READING
In the beginning, story was going straight forward. Nothing special happened which I can consider.
BUT
In the ending, my eyes came out of my eye's sockets and never came back lol! You want to know why? I will give the last sentence of the story I hope you will understand.
Strict Note: Don't open spoiler if you don't want to know about the ending.
*RECOMMENDATION
I highly recommend this story to those who are bored and have nothing to do.
*NOTE
Frankly speaking, I gave this story 2.5 stars (half rating) because I couldn't understand I liked this story or didn't. but for an unexpected ending I added 0.5 I think it's fair enough.
I hope you like my review if you don't then please! point out my mistakes. I would be happy to see that
Thanks for you attention!
*WHERE TO READ
Just click the below link and enjoy (maybe) reading!
CLICK ME!
February 11, 2022
At the outset, Mr. Easton is never suspected as the convict. With his appearance in the story we see him in handcuff. His old comrade, Miss. Fairfield simply turns pale once she notices the "glittering handcuff" in the wrist of Mr. Easton.
But before she assumes anything wrong about her old Eastern buddy, the glum-faced man takes all pain to restore the image of Mr. Easton, realizing that it would be unfair to expose the criminal up before an old friend, particularly when she is so fond of Easton.
He thus, fabricates facts presenting Mr. Easton as a marshal, taking him to Leavenworth prison, because of counterfeiting. Its "seven years" imprisonment that awaits him now.
This clarification though eases Miss. Fairchild, but deeply uneases Mr. Easton. In fact, Mr. Easton is never comfortable with his fake role of a marshal…
He thus, bemoans often time for his changed fortune. He openly admits that to him the job 'of an ambassador is more appealing than the position of a marshal. But, Miss. Fairchild fails to read the uneasiness of Mr. Easton. While she starts praising her friend for his heroic job, Mr. Easton feels deeply embarrassed.
His works amply suggests his uncomfortability for being presented as a fake marshal. For example, he says that his "butterfly days are over". This however indicates his sadness at heart, all because of being arrested for counterfeiting. He is thus, destined to "go on to Leavenworth", which he says just before he adieus Miss. Fairchild.
But, Miss. Fairchild is one among those people "always misunderstand things and remain stupid." She totally fails to read the sadness in Mr. Easton's heart. Like her, the reader too fails to comprehend who actually Mr. Easton is.
O’ Henry intends to create such a dilemma only to solve it at the end.
The two passengers eavesdropping on the conversation between the trio, ultimately solves this problem. The first passenger-speaker says to an- other that the marshal, is indeed a good man.
But, he is badly misinterpreted by the second one. The second passenger thus, mindlessly says that the marshal is quite young "for such a position." He actually alludes to the handsome Mr. Easton. The first passenger realizing this, chides the-second one saying whether he (second passenger) has ever seen an "officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand." In fact, the right hand of Mr. Easton was bound to the left hand of the marshal.
This helped the intelligent first passenger to identify Mr. Easton to be the counterfeiter and the glum-faced man as marshal.
A master story teller, O Henry is well aware that readers welcome things unexpected at the end of a story. His surprise ending are thus, meant to shock the reader with the fact, and hardly thought of. Mr. Easton who remains all throughout the story as a marshal is ultimately discovered as a convict, arrested for counterfeiting.
Such an appalling unearthing at the end of the story makes Hearts and Hands more appealing to read.
But before she assumes anything wrong about her old Eastern buddy, the glum-faced man takes all pain to restore the image of Mr. Easton, realizing that it would be unfair to expose the criminal up before an old friend, particularly when she is so fond of Easton.
He thus, fabricates facts presenting Mr. Easton as a marshal, taking him to Leavenworth prison, because of counterfeiting. Its "seven years" imprisonment that awaits him now.
This clarification though eases Miss. Fairchild, but deeply uneases Mr. Easton. In fact, Mr. Easton is never comfortable with his fake role of a marshal…
He thus, bemoans often time for his changed fortune. He openly admits that to him the job 'of an ambassador is more appealing than the position of a marshal. But, Miss. Fairchild fails to read the uneasiness of Mr. Easton. While she starts praising her friend for his heroic job, Mr. Easton feels deeply embarrassed.
His works amply suggests his uncomfortability for being presented as a fake marshal. For example, he says that his "butterfly days are over". This however indicates his sadness at heart, all because of being arrested for counterfeiting. He is thus, destined to "go on to Leavenworth", which he says just before he adieus Miss. Fairchild.
But, Miss. Fairchild is one among those people "always misunderstand things and remain stupid." She totally fails to read the sadness in Mr. Easton's heart. Like her, the reader too fails to comprehend who actually Mr. Easton is.
O’ Henry intends to create such a dilemma only to solve it at the end.
The two passengers eavesdropping on the conversation between the trio, ultimately solves this problem. The first passenger-speaker says to an- other that the marshal, is indeed a good man.
But, he is badly misinterpreted by the second one. The second passenger thus, mindlessly says that the marshal is quite young "for such a position." He actually alludes to the handsome Mr. Easton. The first passenger realizing this, chides the-second one saying whether he (second passenger) has ever seen an "officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand." In fact, the right hand of Mr. Easton was bound to the left hand of the marshal.
This helped the intelligent first passenger to identify Mr. Easton to be the counterfeiter and the glum-faced man as marshal.
A master story teller, O Henry is well aware that readers welcome things unexpected at the end of a story. His surprise ending are thus, meant to shock the reader with the fact, and hardly thought of. Mr. Easton who remains all throughout the story as a marshal is ultimately discovered as a convict, arrested for counterfeiting.
Such an appalling unearthing at the end of the story makes Hearts and Hands more appealing to read.
May 1, 2018
Through a story that depicts a casual and unassuming atmosphere, O. Henry weaves a mesmerizing story that has the right amount of reality and fantasy blended in it. Known for the surprise endings in his short stories, having a sting in the tale, his “Hearts and Hands” stands no exception.
The story presents us with three characters: a marshal, a convict and a young lady. On a train to Denver, there was a chance meeting between the young lady and the convict who happened to be old friends. O. Henry has artfully depicted in the story that appearances can misrepresent reality. When the marshal and the convict boarded the train, their physical appearances are described in such a way that it later misled not only Miss Fairchild but also the readers.
Mr. Easton is described as “one of handsome presence, with a bold, frank countenance and manner while the other as ruffled, heavily built, roughly dressed and glum-faced”. Thus when the real marshal tells Miss Fairchild later that he is the convict, who is being taken to prison by Mer. Easton, who is a marshal, it appears to be true. Miss Fairchild does not notice that it is Easton’s right hand that is handcuffed. She believes that her old friend is a marshal. Appearances deceive her; O. Henry thus, suggests that people often jump to conclusions that aren’t true and ignore seemingly obvious details. This seems true not only for instances where we choose to lay more faith in someone we already know for even one of the unnamed passengers take Mr. Easton to be the marshal. Thus though Easton appeared to be known to Miss Fairchild, it was hardly true.
The story is also resplendent with compassion, portrayed through the marshal, who realised that Miss Fairchild laid more faith on social images than reality and used this fact to clear the doubt in her mind about the handcuffs on sensing the convict’s embarrassment by volunteering to present the convict as the marshal and himself as the convict. He did not care for his own prestige but tagged himself as the convict. Thus, the marshal’s willingness to lie for Mr. Easton depicted that he was compassionate to people in need.
Thus the story that renders the readers mesmerised with its didactic twist in plot and teems with the virtue of compassion is worth appreciation.
O. Henry has aptly names the story, “Hearts and Hands”. The plot of the story is related to the theme of showing compassion and not judging people by their outer appearance.
The story begins with the people, Mr. Easton and the glum-faced man handcuffed together. It is the handcuffing that lends to the “Hands” part of the title. In fact, it is the hands (handcuffs) which are significant for revealing the true identities of the two men. Miss Fairchild was misled by the unnamed mans about the identity of Mr. Easton as he wanted to save Mr. Easton from an embarrassing situation of the revelation that Mr. Easton was a convict and was being taken by him to the prison. It was an acute passenger in the coach, who discovered that a marshal would not handcuff his own right hand with that of the convict, as was the case with them. So, Easton, who appeared as a handsome, bold man was actually the convict and the rough, sad-looking man was the marshal.
It is the “Hearst” part of the title that explains the theme. It is because of having a compassionate heart that the marshal told a lie to Miss Fairchild. He did this to save Mr. Easton from the humiliation of being identifies as a convict in front of an old friend, who was being taken to the prison by Mr. Easton. The glum-faced man had a golden heart.
The effect of the lie was immediate in the response of Miss Fairchild. She showed relief that Mr. Easton was not the convict. “Oh! Said the girl, with a deep breath and returning colour.” She was shocked and horrified before the marshal told the lie to her.
So the author has titled the story, “Hearts and Hands” because by having the marshal lie about his hand being that of the convict, the marshal shows his heart for the convict and highlights the theme of compassion.
The word “Hearts” is also indicative of the kind of friendship that existed between Miss Fairchild and Mr. Easton. When she saw him, there appeared a lovely smile on her face and her cheeks turned pink.
But the moment she saw the handcuffs, her facial expressions changed and her heart which seemed top be locked with the images of her happy past with Mr. Easton, gave way to horror. It appeared that the “hands” (handcuffs) would decide the future course of their relationship.
The story presents us with three characters: a marshal, a convict and a young lady. On a train to Denver, there was a chance meeting between the young lady and the convict who happened to be old friends. O. Henry has artfully depicted in the story that appearances can misrepresent reality. When the marshal and the convict boarded the train, their physical appearances are described in such a way that it later misled not only Miss Fairchild but also the readers.
Mr. Easton is described as “one of handsome presence, with a bold, frank countenance and manner while the other as ruffled, heavily built, roughly dressed and glum-faced”. Thus when the real marshal tells Miss Fairchild later that he is the convict, who is being taken to prison by Mer. Easton, who is a marshal, it appears to be true. Miss Fairchild does not notice that it is Easton’s right hand that is handcuffed. She believes that her old friend is a marshal. Appearances deceive her; O. Henry thus, suggests that people often jump to conclusions that aren’t true and ignore seemingly obvious details. This seems true not only for instances where we choose to lay more faith in someone we already know for even one of the unnamed passengers take Mr. Easton to be the marshal. Thus though Easton appeared to be known to Miss Fairchild, it was hardly true.
The story is also resplendent with compassion, portrayed through the marshal, who realised that Miss Fairchild laid more faith on social images than reality and used this fact to clear the doubt in her mind about the handcuffs on sensing the convict’s embarrassment by volunteering to present the convict as the marshal and himself as the convict. He did not care for his own prestige but tagged himself as the convict. Thus, the marshal’s willingness to lie for Mr. Easton depicted that he was compassionate to people in need.
Thus the story that renders the readers mesmerised with its didactic twist in plot and teems with the virtue of compassion is worth appreciation.
O. Henry has aptly names the story, “Hearts and Hands”. The plot of the story is related to the theme of showing compassion and not judging people by their outer appearance.
The story begins with the people, Mr. Easton and the glum-faced man handcuffed together. It is the handcuffing that lends to the “Hands” part of the title. In fact, it is the hands (handcuffs) which are significant for revealing the true identities of the two men. Miss Fairchild was misled by the unnamed mans about the identity of Mr. Easton as he wanted to save Mr. Easton from an embarrassing situation of the revelation that Mr. Easton was a convict and was being taken by him to the prison. It was an acute passenger in the coach, who discovered that a marshal would not handcuff his own right hand with that of the convict, as was the case with them. So, Easton, who appeared as a handsome, bold man was actually the convict and the rough, sad-looking man was the marshal.
It is the “Hearst” part of the title that explains the theme. It is because of having a compassionate heart that the marshal told a lie to Miss Fairchild. He did this to save Mr. Easton from the humiliation of being identifies as a convict in front of an old friend, who was being taken to the prison by Mr. Easton. The glum-faced man had a golden heart.
The effect of the lie was immediate in the response of Miss Fairchild. She showed relief that Mr. Easton was not the convict. “Oh! Said the girl, with a deep breath and returning colour.” She was shocked and horrified before the marshal told the lie to her.
So the author has titled the story, “Hearts and Hands” because by having the marshal lie about his hand being that of the convict, the marshal shows his heart for the convict and highlights the theme of compassion.
The word “Hearts” is also indicative of the kind of friendship that existed between Miss Fairchild and Mr. Easton. When she saw him, there appeared a lovely smile on her face and her cheeks turned pink.
But the moment she saw the handcuffs, her facial expressions changed and her heart which seemed top be locked with the images of her happy past with Mr. Easton, gave way to horror. It appeared that the “hands” (handcuffs) would decide the future course of their relationship.
October 27, 2021
So easy to make a throwaway comment on the preciousness of a compassionate cop.
It's sad that the commentary on appearances is still applicable.
It's sad that the commentary on appearances is still applicable.
April 29, 2016
It's amazing how O. Henry was able to turn the whole story around with just that last sentence/dialogue. This story has stuck with me for years!
June 12, 2018
A truly great twist that gives all the earlier dialog additional punch. Highly enjoyable short story.
May 26, 2019
This is well-written, good characterization and a nice, little twist.
February 28, 2025
This is the first story I read by O.Henry while it didn’t have a plot as good, in my opinion, as the other two books I’ve read by him. This had such a twist at the end that it was still a good read!
April 15, 2022
Definitely a striking one. I loved it.
July 27, 2022
Shockingly short with a not so shocking twist of an ending. This little vignette of a story still comes with love, longing, regret, shame and an unexpected goodness from an enforcer! Charmingly imprinting its effect on the reader.
March 21, 2020
The twist on this book is the best I’ve read my whole life. I am a big fan of books that require great focus and this has many clues to figure out the end. I read this twice, in the beginning it was a group reading with my class and teacher, then I read it again alone for the quiz we had a about it and realized how good it is. It was more fun with a group because of how everyone got worked up and had theories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2019
What an ending! The whole story was just a preparation for this ending. You know, you think you understand the plot and then 'boom!' - and you see it (the characters and the message) in a different way.
October 4, 2018
Read in the english class.
December 13, 2022
‘’Hearts and Hands’’ by O Henry is one of the finest short story and illustrates aphorism ‘Some things are not decided by their outward appearance’. The story takes place on the Eastbound B&M Express in Denver. In one of the wagons sits a beautifully dressed and elegant woman. Later, two young men sit in front of the woman, but they are handcuffed to each other. The woman recognizes the man in handcuffs and speaks sweetly, recognizing the poor looking man. In this case, we can say that acquaintances and relatives have a knack for showing up where we don't want them. After that, the man raises his right hand and by looking at it we can see how incompetent they are. Mr. Easton says he left his luxurious life in Washington to become a field marshal in the west. The beautiful woman, Mrs. Fairchild, emphasizes that she loves the West and wants to live there. Later, Mr. Easton modestly says that the marshals have them handcuffed to the prisoners so that the prisoners do not escape, so he does not care about his own reputation. Later the other man asks Mr. Easton to take him to the smoking area as he hasn't been smoking all day. They are leaving the beautiful woman and one of the passengers says that he has never seen a convict's right hand and an officer wearing handcuffs with his left hand. This reveals that Mr. Easton is a prisoner and his other man is a field marshal.The genre of the story is fiction.The story finishes with twist-ending and there is dramatic irony. Mr. Easton isn't really a fighter he's just a counterfeiter.There is a foreshadowing in the story, Mr. Easton tells Miss Fairychild that she must go to Leavenworth. In my opinion, in the story,the moral is language. If the language and speaking skills are good, we can easily influence and convince the others.
August 2, 2023
a true piece of creativity I must say. Absolutely lit kind of short story having Important hidden messages for the readers. It explains how humans turn out to be different with the passage of time due to being under particular circumstances. It teaches how should readers behave when they see such a huge change as the one in this story. Highly recommended.
January 7, 2026
I'm not certain what clue me to the thought that Mr Eastman wasn't the Marshal but I had the it before the author ends the story with remarks from the couple who overheard the discussion. Some lawmen are polite and generous especially when it aided the long journey that was had back in that day. QED
August 8, 2020
You need to reach to the very end of the story to devour the tanginess hidden in Henry's stories. He initiates the engine with such simplicity that it becomes hard for the readers to decide in a jiffy, what actually just happened and how to react to that.
October 14, 2019
My students didn't get it, and I didn't like it. Just meh.
February 20, 2021
Ah, dramatic irony, tis thy name.
December 22, 2021
An entertaining and witty short story.
February 4, 2022
Had an extract of this short story for english homework and wanted to read the rest. Ironic twist and a very quick , witty read .
May 18, 2022
He was the criminal!! I feel betrayed and at the same time overwhelmed with laughter and sweetness of the situation 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2022
This was strangely sweet. I wanted more.
January 20, 2024
A very short, very sweet story, possibly inspired by O. Henry's own stint with the law and prison. Here, a young lady recognizes an old friend, who is handcuffed to another man, while on a train.
November 30, 2024
it was a classic but litterally took rereading three times to understand what happened
July 17, 2025
Money isn't everything, but people always misunderstand things And remain stupid.
Read
November 10, 2025uhm… that was stupid
December 12, 2025
Season 1 finale of Good Omens type shi
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews