A burglar who respects his art always takes his time before taking anything else

A burglar who respects his art always takes his time before taking anything else

In the world of crime fiction, few authors have captured the essence of the criminal mind quite like O. Henry. Known for his clever plot twists and unexpected endings, O. Henry often delved into the world of thieves and burglars, exploring their motivations and methods with a keen eye for detail. One of his most famous stories, "The Ransom of Red Chief," features a pair of hapless kidnappers who quickly find themselves outwitted by their young captive. But it is in his lesser-known works that O. Henry truly shines a light on the art of burglary.

In the story of "A Retrieved Reformation," O. Henry introduces us to Jimmy Valentine, a skilled safecracker who has just been released from prison. Determined to turn over a new leaf, Jimmy moves to a small town and opens a shoe store, hoping to leave his criminal past behind him. But when a bank safe catches his eye, Jimmy can't resist the temptation to put his skills to the test once more. As he carefully plans his heist, Jimmy takes his time, meticulously studying the bank's security measures and patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

It is in this moment of contemplation and preparation that Jimmy truly embodies the idea of a burglar who respects his art. Like a master painter carefully selecting his colors or a sculptor shaping his clay, Jimmy approaches his crime with a sense of reverence and precision. He understands that rushing into a job without proper planning is a surefire way to get caught, and so he takes his time, savoring the challenge and relishing the thrill of the chase.

But Jimmy is not the only character in O. Henry's stories who embodies this ethos. In "The Cop and the Anthem," we meet Soapy, a down-and-out drifter who spends his days trying to get arrested so he can spend the winter in a warm jail cell. Despite his criminal intentions, Soapy approaches his schemes with a certain finesse, carefully selecting his targets and executing his plans with a sense of style and flair.