It is time to say now, that by the “truth” I don’t mean the objectionable stuff that so often masquerades under the name.  I mean true opinions a true estimate of all things as they seem to the “hero.”  If you find a word or a suggestive line or sentence in any of my copy, you cut it out and deduct it from the royalties.

I want this man to be a man of natural intelligence, of individual character, absolutely open and broad minded; and show how the Creator of the earth has got him in a rat trap—­put him here “willy nilly” (you know the Omar verse); and then I want to show what he does about it.  There is always the eternal question from the Primal Source—­“What are you going to do about it?”

Please don’t think for the half of a moment that the story is going to be anything of an autobiography.  I have a distinct character in my mind for the part, and he does not at all

      [Here the letter ends.  He never finished it.]

THE STORY OF “HOLDING UP A TRAIN”

[In “Sixes and Sevens” there appears an article entitled “Holding Up a Train.”  Now the facts were given to O. Henry by an old and dear friend who, in his wild avenging youth, had actually held up trains.  To-day he is Mr. Al.  Jennings, of Oklahoma City, Okla., a prominent attorney.  He has permitted the publication of two letters O. Henry wrote him, the first outlining the story as he thought his friend Jennings ought to write it, and the second announcing that, with O. Henry’s revision, the manuscript had been accepted.

      From W. S. Porter to Al.  Jennings, September 21st (year not
      given but probably 1902).]

DEAR PARD: 

In regard to that article—­I will give you my idea of what is wanted.  Say we take for a title “The Art and Humor of the Hold-up”—­or something like that.  I would suggest that in writing you assume a character.  We have got to respect the conventions and delusions of the public to a certain extent.  An article written as you would naturally write it would be regarded as a fake and an imposition.  Remember that the traditions must be preserved wherever they will not interfere with the truth.  Write in as simple, plain and unembellished a style as you know how.  Make your sentences short.  Put in as much realism and as many facts as possible.  Where you want to express an opinion or comment on the matter do it as practically and plainly as you can.  Give it LIFE and the vitality of FACTS.

Now, I will give you a sort of general synopsis of my idea—­of course, everything is subject to your own revision and change.  The article, we will say, is written by a TYPICAL train hoister—­one without your education and powers of expression (bouquet) but intelligent enough to convey his ideas from HIS STANDPOINT—­not from John Wanamaker’s.  Yet, in order to please John, we will have to assume a virtue that we do not possess.  Comment on the