JIMMY VALENTINE'S REFORMATION O. Henry Jimmy Valentine was released1 that day."Now, Valentine, " said the warden2, "you'll go out today. Make a man ofyourself. You are not a bad fellow really. Stop breaking open safes and behonest. ""Me?" said Jimmy in surprise. "Why, I've never broken a safe in my life."The warden laughed. "Better think over my advice, Valentine. "In the evening Valentine arrived in his native town, went directly to thecafe of his old friend Mike and shook hands with Mike. Then he took the key ofhis room and went upstairs. Everything was just as he had left it. Jimmy removeda panel in the wall and dragged out a dust-covered suitcase. He opened itand looked fondly at the finest set of burglar's3 tools. It was a complete set madeof special steel. The set consisted of various tools of the latest design. Over ninehundred dollars they had cost him.A week after the release of Valentine there was a new safe-burglary inRichmond. Two weeks after that another safe was opened. That began to interestthe detectives. Ben Price, a famous detective, got interested in these cases."That's all Jimmy Valentine's work. He has resumed business. He has gotthe only tools that can open any safe without leaving the slightest trace. "One afternoon Jimmy Valentine came to Elmore, a little town in Arkansas.A young lady crossed the street, passed him at the corner and entered a doorover which was the sign "The Elmore Bank". Jimmy Valentine looked into hereyes, forgot what he was and became another man. She lowered her eyes andblushed slightly. Young men of Jimmy's style and looks were not often met inElmore. Jimmy called a boy who was standing on the steps of the bank and beganto ask him questions about the town and the people of the town. From thisboy he learnt that this girl was Annabel Adams and that her father was the ownerof the bank.
Jimmy went to a hotel and registered as Ralf Spencer. To the clerk he saidthat he had come to Elmore to start business. The clerk was impressed by theclothes and manner of Jimmy and he was ready to give Jimmy any information.Soon Jimmy opened a shoe-store and made large profits. In all other respects hewas also a success. He was popular with many important people and had manyfriends. And he accomplished the wish of his heart. He met Miss Annabel Adamsand she fell in love with him too. Annabel's father, who was a typical countrybanker approved of Spencer. The young people were to be married in twoweeks. Jimmy gave up safe-burglary forever. He was an honest man now. Hedecided to get rid of his tools.At that time a new safe was put in Mr. Adams' bank. The old man wasvery proud of it and insisted that everyone should inspect it. So one day thewhole family with the children went to the bank. Mr. Adams enthusiastically explained the workings of the safe to Spencer. The two children were delightedto see the shining metal and the funny clock. While they were thus engaged BenPrice, the detective, walked into the bank and stood at the counter watching thescene. He told the cashier that he was just waiting for the man he knew. Suddenlythere was a loud scream from the women. Unseen by the elders, May, thesmallest girl had shut herself in the vault4."It's impossible to open the door now, " said Mr. Adams in a tremblingvoice, "because the clock of the safe hasn't been wound. Oh, what shall we do?That child—she can't stand it for long because there isn't enough air there!""Get away from the door, all of you, " suddenly commanded Spencer.And it must be mentioned that Jimmy happened to have his suit-case with himbecause he was going to get rid of it that day. Very calmly he took out the toolsand in ten minutes the vault was opened. The others watched him in amazement.The little girl, crying, rushed to her mother.Jimmy took his suit-case and came up to Ben Price whom he had noticedlong before. "Hello, Ben", he said, "Let's go. I don't think it matters much now."And then suddenly Ben Price acted rather strangely."I guess, you are mistakenMr. Spencer, "he said. "I don't seem to recognize you. I think your fiancée' iswaiting for you, isn't she?" And Ben Price turned and walked out of the Bank.Questions on the text:1) What kind of man was Jimmy Valentine? (age, looks, occupation)?2) Where did he go immediately after the release?3) What was the first thing he did on entering his room?4) There were a number of safe-burglaries in Richmond. Why did BenPrice get interested in them? Why did he suspect Jimmy?5) How did Jimmy happen to meet Annabel Adams? What did he manageto find out about her?6) Why did Jimmy register at the hotel under another name?7) Explain the phrase, "In all respects Jimmy was a success."8) What final decision did Jimmy make that proved that he wanted togive up his old business forever?
9) How did the child happen to find himself in the vault? Why was itdangerous?10) Why did all the present watch Jimmy in amazement while he wasopening the safe?

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