Published in 1894, More Short Sixes is exactly what it promises: another batch of H.C. Bunner's famously brief tales. These aren't sprawling epics; they're sharp, focused snapshots. Bunner was a New York editor and writer who captured the city's spirit—its ambitions, its deceptions, and its everyday comedies—with a journalist's eye and a humorist's heart.

The Story

There's no single plot. Instead, you get a variety of quick hits. One story, 'The Tenor,' follows a singer whose voice is failing, leading to a desperate and funny pact with his understudy. 'The Love Letters of Smith' is a quietly charming piece about a shy man expressing his feelings through notes left with his landlady's meals. Others, like 'The Zodion Brothers,' dive into the world of small-time business and the elaborate cons people run on each other. The settings are often ordinary—offices, boarding houses, city streets—but Bunner finds the extraordinary tension or humor hiding within them. Each story is a self-contained puzzle or character study, usually wrapping up with a satisfying click, like a well-made lock.

Why You Should Read It

I love this book because it respects your time and intelligence. Bunner doesn't waste a word. His characters feel real in just a few pages—you recognize the boastful friend, the anxious suitor, the cornered schemer. The humor is dry and smart, often coming from people trapped in situations of their own making. It's less about laugh-out-loud jokes and more about the smile of recognition. Beyond the fun, there's a real warmth here. Bunner clearly liked people, even with all their flaws and foolishness. Reading these stories feels like getting a series of witty, insightful postcards from another century, reminding you that people haven't changed all that much.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect book for readers who love short stories with a classic feel, fans of O. Henry or Saki, or anyone who wants a break from long, dense novels. It's ideal for commutes, waiting rooms, or when you just have fifteen minutes to spare. You can dip in and out, or binge a handful in one go. If you enjoy clever plotting, sharp character sketches, and a touch of old New York charm, More Short Sixes is a delightful, breezy read that still manages to feel substantial.