Important suggestion from “Jimmy Valentine”, Class – 11
Long Questions and Answers:
JIMMY VALENTINE
– O Henry
DS Type Questions:
Each Question mark – 5
1) “He had served nearly ten months of a four year sentence”. – How did a four year sentence become nearly ten months?
Ans- Jimmy was sentenced to jail for a period of four years. But he served only ten months in the prison. The four year sentence reduced to nearly ten months. Jimmy was sentenced for a bank robbery. It was the Springfield case. Jimmy was a professional burglar. He used his expertise intelligently and left no evidence of theft. In the Springfield case, he was arrested. He was given the four year sentence.
Jimmy had many friends. They tried their best to save Jimmy but failed. Jimmy alone was able to impress the government and managed his pardon. The Governor signed the copy of Jimmy’s release order. The warden released him at 7 o’clock in the morning.
2) Describe the dust-covered suitcase of Jimmy.
Ans- Jimmy’s suitcase was covered with dust. Probably it had not been cleaned for a long time. The suitcase contained Jimmy’s tools of burglary. He opened the suitcase and gazed at his tools. It was a complete set. They were all made in the east.
They were made of tempered steel with the latest designs. There were drills, punches, brace and bits, jimmies, clamps and augers. Among them, two or three novelties were invented by Jimmy himself. These tools cost over nine hundred dollars. Jimmy took pride in them. Jimmy used these tools for burglary or cracking safes. He therefore kept the suitcase in the safest place.
Also read: “KARMA” by Khushwant Singh | Summary, Class – 11 | WBCHSE
3) ” The losses were now high enough to bring the matter up into Ben Price’s class of work. ” – Who was Ben Price? Describe the losses as stated above.
Ans- Ben Price was an investigating officer of the Intelligence Bureau.
Here the losses were due to a series of robberies. The first one took place in Richmond, Indiana immediately a week after the release of Valentine. It was clearly an act of safety- burglary. No evidence of the burglar was left. A sum of about eight hundred dollars was stolen. The second one took place in Logansport after two weeks of Valentine’s release. Only the currency notes of fifteen hundred dollars were stolen.
The securities and silver remained untouched. The third one took place in Jefferson City. The banknotes here amounted to five thousand dollars. The total amount of money stolen was so big that a proper investigation was needed.
4) Give a short note on Ben Price’s remark after his investigation of robberies.
Ans- Ben Price visited all the spots of robberies. He found a remarkable similarity in the methods of burglaries. Jimmy’s habits wrr known to him well. So his eyes of suspicion fell on Jimmy. Jimmy once again resumed his business of theft, he thought. He said, that was Jimmy Valentine’s autograph.
The combination knob looked as if a radish was uprooted in wet weather. Only Jimmy belonged to those clamps to do that work. The tumblers were very cleanly punched out. Jimmy’s way was to drill but one hole. Jimmy was badly needed because only he had done it. He must not be very foolish for the next course of action.
5) Why did Jimmy decide to settle in Elmore?
Ans- One afternoon Jimmy arrived in Elmore. It was a small town five miles away from the railway station. He came riding on a mail horse. He carried his suitcase with him. He looked like a young athlete just from the college. He stepped down towards the hotel. There came down in that way a young lady. She crossed the street and entered into the Elmore Bank. Jimmy had a quick glance over the young lady. He got little hypnotized by her charming beauty.
Jimmy took her as Lady Poly Simpson. There on the steps of the bank stood a young boy. He was loafing like a stock holder. He informed that she was Annabel Adams. The Elmore Bank was owned by her father. By the by came out the young lady. She looked unconsciously at Jimmy and with a little shy went away. Hence a quick decision and Jimmy settled in Elmore.
6) How did Jimmy draw Annabel’s attention?
Ans- One afternoon Jimmy came to Elmore. He was on his way to the hotel. He looked young and energetic like an
athlete. His handsome appearance seemed to be quite rare in Elmore. By chance there came down a young lady that way. She passed Jimmy at the corner and entered straight into the bank. Jimmy read the sign board – The Elmore Bank. He stood there hypnotized. Her charming beauty and timid eyes created a different sensation at him. Very soon came out the young lady and unconsciously fell her glance upon Jimmy. This love- encounter was probably the main reason behind Jimmy’s settlement. In a short while, Jimmy opened a shoe business. He was known to all as Mr. Ralph D. Spencer. His shoe trade was a grand success. And successful was his affair with Annabel Adams too.
7) Write a short note on the Elmore Bank episode.
Ans- The Elmore Bank episode is look interesting. Mr. Adams bought a new vault in the bank. He felt proud of his new profession. He wished to have all his relatives watch the vault. So his family members came to the bank. Annabel’s married sister had two little daughters. They were in a sporty mood. Mr. Adams was busy explaining the operation of the vault.
In the meantime, Agatha was shut inside the vault. May had shut the door. Now started a hue and cry. Mr. Adams announced that he had no knowledge of unlocking. Agatha’s mother screamed in fear. Agatha would die of fright. The tension mounted up. Annabel implored Ralph to find a solution. Now came Ralph’s chance to prove his expertise. So Jimmy Valentine took the place of Ralph. He swiftly started his work. Everyone watched him as if under a spell. Within ten minutes, the vault was unlocked. Agatha was rescued safely.