A Ruler of Men by O. Henry. Short summary

5 seconds

The buddies they meet on the street go to a restaurant. One of them recalls that he knew an Irishman who belonged to a warrior clan and dreamed of becoming the ruler of men.

1 minute

The main character was wandering around New York City. On the corner of two streets he met a man who was selling a universal tool to the crowd. When a policeman appeared in the crowd, the salesman quickly put the items in his bag and fled.

The crowd immediately dispersed, and the main character went after Billy Bowers. Buddy, mistaking him for a policeman, shoved five dollars in his hand. When he recognizes the friend, he asks for his money back. The hero asks Bowers where redheaded McGill is now, and why he is selling nonsense on the street.

McGill has gone to Arizona to build windmills. Billy got burned out with the gold ore and took up trading. The pals go to a restaurant where Bowers reminisces about his adventures. He was acquainted with an Irishman, O’Coner, who had a beautiful sword belonging to the man’s father.

The Irishman stated that he belonged to a warrior family and should become the ruler of men. He chooses a country, and offers Billy a part in carrying out a plan to take it over. The man promises to repay the costs and secure a place in the new government.