The

The Welcome back, everyone to one thousand one classic short stories and tales. This is your host, John Haggardorn.

I've got two O'Henry short stories for you today from his collection called The Four Million.

The first story is called After 20 Years. Hope you enjoy it.

The policeman on the beat moved up the avenue impressively.

The impressiveness was habitual and not for show, for spectators were few.

The time was barely ten o'clock at night, but chilly gusts of wind, with a taste of rain

in them, had well-nigh deep people to streets.

Trying doors as he went, twirling his club with many intricate and artful movements,

turning now and then to cast his watchful eye adown the Pacific thoroughfare, the officer,

with his stalwart form and slight swagger, made a fine picture of a guardian of the piece.

The vicinity was one that kept early hours.

Now and then you might see the lights of a cigars store or an all-night lunch counter,

but the majority of doors belonged to business places that had long since been closed.

When about midway of a certain block, the policeman suddenly slowed his walk.

In the doorway of a darkened hardware store, a man leaned with an unlighted cigar in his mouth.

As the policeman walked up to him, the man spoke up quickly.

"'It's all right, officer,' he said reassuringly.

"'I'm just waiting for a friend.

It's an appointment made 20 years ago.

Sounds a little funny to you, doesn't it? Well, I'll explain if you'd like to make certain it's all

straight. About that long ago, there used to be a restaurant where this store stands. Big Joe

...