Strictly Business Page: 283
This book is part of the collection entitled: O. Henry Project and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
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The Venturers 283
"I returned to New York to-day," continued Ives,
"from a three years' ramble around the globe. Things
are not much better abroad than they are at home.
The whole world seems to be overrun by conclusions.
The only thing that interests me greatly is a premise. I've
tried shooting big game in Africa. I know what an express
rifle will do at so many yards; and when an elephant or a
rhinoceros falls to the bullet, I enjoy it about as much as
I did when I was kept in after school to do a sum in long
division on the blackboard."
"I know - I know," said Forster.
"There might be something in aeroplanes," went on
Ives, reflectively. "I've tried ballooning; but it seems
to be merely a cut-and-dried affair of wind and ballast."
" Women," suggested Forster, with a smile.
"Three months ago," said Ives. "I was pottering around
in one of the bazaars in Constantinople. I noticed a lady,
veiled, of course, but with a pair of especially fine eyes
visible, who was examining some amber and pearl orna-
ments at one of the booths. With her was an attendant -
a big Nubian, as black as coal. After a while this atten-
dant drew nearer to me by degrees and slipped a scrap of
paper into my hand. I looked at it when I got a chance.
On it was scrawled hastily in pencil: 'The arched gate of
the Nightingale Garden at nine to-night.' Does that
appear to you to be an interesting premise, Mr. Forster ? "
" Go on," said Forster eagerly.I
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Henry, O., 1862-1910. Strictly Business, book, 1910; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth139374/m1/295/?rotate=90: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.