Front matter
Reading edition
BY
RICHARD EDWARD CONNELL
Short Story Index Reprint Series
BOOKS FOR LIBRARIES PRESS
FREEPORT, NEW YORK
First Published 1924
Reprinted 1970
DEDICATION
To Apes playing Angels, and remembering their Halos while forgetting their Tails—
To the Earnest and Purposeful Men and Women, of the world, who have made it what it is today—
To Kings, Generals, Ecclesiastics, Statesmen—
To Dignitaries generally, not forgetting Wearers of Regalia and Phi Beta Kappa keys—
To All who, taking life heavily and solemnly, thank God they have a sense of Humor—
To Leaders of Movements, Champions of Causes and all Minor Messiahs—
To Those who have found Absolute Truth and know no Doubt—
To Prudent, Thrifty Souls who save up their pleasure in this world so they may enjoy it, with interest, in the next—
To Men who feel refreshed in the presence of Thoroughbred Horses—
To Patronizers of Humor—
To Artists who think an Important Manner makes Matter Important—
To New-laid Æsthetes who bamboozle other New-laid Æsthetes by saying Nothing in a New Way—
To Revilers of Public Taste who forget that clarity begins at home—
To Critics whose most lethal epithet is “light,” who deem tears more civilized than laughter, and the causing of pain a higher art than the giving of pleasure—
To Weepers in Playtime and Dieters at the Banquet of Life—
To all Mental Masochists—
To the Serious Minded—
This book of light tragedies is dedicated in warm gratitude for the joy they have given me.
RICHARD CONNELL
Green’s Farms, Conn.
February 11, 1924.
CONTENTS
PAGE
A Friend of Napoleon1
A Reputation35
Son of a Sloganeer63
The Wronging of Edwin Dell98
The Unfamiliar138
A House in the Country163
Shoes184
The Prince Has the Mumps199
The Battle of Washington Square224
The Last of the Flatfeet256
The Man Who Could Imitate a Bee291
APES AND ANGELS