DOCSLIB.ORG

Mike and Psmith Free

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mike and Psmith Free FREE MIKE AND PSMITH PDF P. G. Wodehouse | 224 pages | 28 Sep 2012 | Everyman | 9781841591834 | English | London, United Kingdom Mike and Psmith (Psmith, #1) by P.G. Wodehouse Rupert Psmith or Ronald Eustace Psmithas he is called in the last of the four books in which he Mike and Psmith is a recurring fictional character in several novels by British comic writer P. Wodehouse Mike and Psmith, being one of Wodehouse's best-loved characters. The P in his surname is silent "as in pshrimp" in his own words and was added by himself, in order to distinguish him from other Smiths. A member of the Drones Clubthis monocle-sporting Old Etonian is something of a dandy, a fluent and witty speaker, and has a remarkable ability to pass through the most amazing adventures unruffled. Wodehouse said that he based Psmith on Rupert D'Oyly Carte —the son of the Gilbert and Sullivan impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte, as he put Mike and Psmith "the only thing in my literary career which was handed to me on a silver plate with watercress around it". Carte was a school acquaintance of a cousin of Wodehouse at Winchester College, according to an Mike and Psmith to Leave it to Psmith. Rupert's daughter, Bridget D'Oyly Carte, however, believed that the Wykehamist schoolboy described to Wodehouse was not her father but his elder brother Lucas. Psmith appears in four novel-length works, all of which appeared as magazine serials before being published in book form. All these works also feature Mike JacksonPsmith's stolidcricket -playing friend and sidekick, the original hero and central character of Mike and Psmith in the Cityuntil eclipsed by Psmith's wit and force of personality. He is also referred to as Rupert twice in Psmith in the City. In Leave it to Psmithhowever, he introduces himself as Ronald Eustace. This is perhaps because Leave it to Psmith contains another character named Rupert, the efficient Baxter ; Wodehouse presumably thought having two Ruperts would be confusing for readers, and since Psmith is generally referred to by his surname only, it was not unreasonable for Wodehouse to assume that Mike and Psmith change would go largely unnoticed. In the U. A Prince For Hire is another blending of these stories. Leave it to Psmith differs somewhat in style from its predecessors. While Mike is a school story along the lines of much of Wodehouse's early output, and Psmith in the City and Psmith, Journalist are youthful adventures, Psmith's final appearance fits the pattern of Wodehouse's more mature period, a romantic comedy set in the idyllic, invariably imposter-ridden Blandings Castlewhere Psmith fulfils the role of ingenious, unflappable fixer, a part taken elsewhere by the likes of GallyUncle Fredor indeed the mighty Jeevesand finally shows a romantic streak of his own. Though predating both Jeeves and Uncle Fred by some years, Psmith seems to be a combination of both characters, on the one hand imbued with Jeeves' precision of speech and concern for being well turned out, and on the other hand replete with Uncle Fred's humorous self-expression and insouciant attitude, in Mike and Psmith Jeeves would never indulge. We first meet Psmith shortly after he has been Mike and Psmith from Eton, and sent to Sedleighwhere he meets Mikeand their long friendship begins. Mike and Psmith tall and thin a boy as he will later be a man, he is even then immaculately dressed, and sports his trademark monocle; his speech is fluid and flowery. His father, Mr Smithis a fairly wealthy man, although a little eccentric, who lives at Corfby HallLower Benfordin Shropshirenot Mike and Psmith from Crofton where his friend Mike grew up; he later moves to Ilsworth Hallin a "neighbouring county", mostly to find better cricket. Not the most active of youths, Psmith spends much of his time at Sedleigh lounging in deck chairs. His most notable talent, even at this age, is a remarkable verbal dexterity, which he uses to confound and confuse boys and masters alike; with his sombre, still face, it is often impossible to tell if he is being serious or mocking. This skill frequently comes in handy, to get himself and his friends out of difficulty. In such circumstances, he is even known to move fairly quickly too. While at Eton, he was a competent cricketer, on the Mike and Psmith of the first team - a slow left-arm bowler with a Mike and Psmith, his enormous reach also makes him handy with a bat when some fast hitting is required, such as in the match between Sedleigh and Wrykyn at the climax of Mike and Psmith. After a time there, he persuades his father he should study to become a lawyer, and goes to Cambridge, accompanied as ever by his friend and companion Mike. During the summer after their first year, Psmith travels to New York, accompanying Mike, who is on a cricketing tour with the M. There, he gets involved with the magazine Cosy Momentsbefriending its temporary editor Billy Windsor and helping in its crusade against slum housing, which involves clashes with violent gangsters. We discover in the last chapter, when the head editor returns, Mike and Psmith Psmith has persuaded his father to let him invest Mike and Psmith money he has inherited from an uncle and now, in fact, owns the magazine. After university, his father dies, having made some unsound investments. As a result, Psmith must work for a time for an uncle in the fish business, something which repels him. Mike and Psmith leaves the job shortly before meeting and falling for Eve Hallidaywhom he follows to Blandings Castle. Despite having entered the castle claiming to be Canadian poet Ralston McToddhe is eventually hired as secretary to Lord Emsworthwho knew his father by reputation. In a preface to the version of Mike and PsmithWodehouse informs us that Psmith went on to become a successful defence lawyer, in the style of Mike and Psmith Mason. Psmith is a somewhat selfish young man; however, he is generous towards those he likes. In a typical example from Leave it to Psmithhe perceives Eve, trapped by the rain under an awning, and decides, chivalrous gentleman that he is, to get her an umbrella. Unfortunately for Psmith, he does not, in point of fact, possess an umbrella. He solves this problem by appropriating another man's Mike and Psmith when confronted by the umbrella's owner, Psmith attempts to comfort him by Mike and Psmith it is for a good cause, and, later, when relating the story, says, "Merely practical Socialism. Other people are content to talk about the Redistribution of Property. I go Mike and Psmith and do it. Sign In Don't have an Mike and Psmith Start a Wiki. Contents [ show ]. Categories :. Cancel Save. The first half republishes the serial "Jackson Junior", in which Psmith does not appear. Psmith Mike and Psmith the City This rewritten story does not feature Psmith. The Saturday Evening Post. Psmith Series by P.G. Wodehouse Mike is a school story by P. Mike is the youngest son of a renowned cricketing family. Mike's eldest brother Joe is a successful first-class player, while Mike and Psmith brother, Bob, is on the verge of his school team. When Mike arrives at Wrykyn himself, his cricketing talent and love of adventure bring him success and trouble in equal measure. The second part, also known as Enter Psmith or Mike and Psmithtakes place two years later. Mike, due to poor academic reports, is withdrawn from Wrykyn by his father and sent to a smaller school called Sedleigh. On arrival at Sedleigh, he meets the eccentric Rupert Psmithanother new arrival who has arrived from Eton. The two become friends and decide not to play cricket, instead participating in other school activities. Mike is leaving his private school to go to Wrykyn. His sisters hope that he will get into the school team his first year, although his brother Bob and Saunders, the pro, are sceptical. On the train down to Wrykyn, Mike is joined by a stranger; seeing the boy get off the train without his bag, Mike throws it out onto the platform, but the boy returns at the next stop. It turns out that the stranger is Firby-Smithhead of Wain 's house, which Mike is to join. Mike meets and befriends Wyatt, Wain's stepson. Wyatt asks Burgessthe cricket captain, to allow Mike to try out; Mike performs well and gets on the third team. Mike is later allowed to play for the first after Wyatt is involved in a fight between some of the students and a gang from Wrykyn town, which ends up with a policeman being thrown into a pond. The policeman exaggerates the incident Mike and Psmith the headmaster, claiming several hundred boys had thrown him into the water, and the headmaster punishes the school by cancelling a forthcoming holiday. In retaliation, Wyatt organises a mass walk-out, taking most of the school with him to a nearby town. As punishment for this, the younger boys are canedand the older boys are all given " extra " during a cricket match against the M. As there are now several openings in the team, Wyatt persuades Burgess to let Mike play. Mike plays well in the M. However, in a later house match, Firby-Smith runs Mike out, and Mike insults him. Firby-Smith insists that Mike and Psmith be punished, but Bob persuades him not to. In gratitude, Mike, finding that he has squeezed Bob out of the team, feigns a sprained wrist so that Bob will get into the team Mike and Psmith of him.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • By Jeeves a Diversionary Entertainment
    P lum Lines The quarterly journal of The Wodehouse Society Vol. 17 N o 2 S u m m er 1996 I h i l l I f \ i\ ilSI | PAUL SARGFNT ,„ 1hc highly unlikely even, of the euneelton of ,o„igh,'« f t * . C»>eer, l,y Mr. Wooster, the following emergency entertainment m . performed in its stead. By Jeeves a diversionary entertainment A review by Tony Ring Wodehouse, with some excellent and vibrant songs, also eminently suitable for a life with rep, amateur and school The Special Notice above, copied from the theater program, companies. indicates just how fluffy this ‘Almost Entirely New Musical’ is. First, the theatre. It seats just over 400 in four banks of Many members have sent reviews and comments about this seats, between which the aisles are productively used for popular musical and I can’t begin to print them all. My apolo­ the introduction o f the deliberately home-made props, gies to all contributors not mentioned here.—OM such as Bertie Wooster’s car, crafted principally out of a sofa and cardboard boxes. Backstage staff are used to h e choice o f B y Jeeves to open the new Stephen bring some o f the props to life, such as the verges on the Joseph Theatre in Scarborough has given us the edge o f the road, replete with hedgehogs, and die com­ T opportunity to see what can be done by the combinationpany cow has evidently not been struck down with BSE. o f a great popular composer, a top playwright, some ideas The production is well suited to this size o f theatre: it and dialogue from the century’s greatest humorist, a would not sit easily in one of the more spectacular auditoria talented and competent cast, and a friendly new theatre in frequently used for Lloyd Webber productions.
    [Show full text]
  • Summer 2004 Through the Covers.” Attempted to Get the Committee to Revoke Its Approval “Do You Know What Means? ‘Crack Them Through of the Topic
    St. Mike’s, Wodehouse, and Me: The Great Thesis Handicap did my undergraduate work here at St. Michael’s College BY ELLIOTT MILSTEIN from 1971 to 1976. How an American Jew ended up at a Catholic Canadian University is another story. I must Editor’s note: Elliott Milstein was primary perpetrator of and opening say, however, that planning this convention on the speaker at The Wodehouse Society convention held in Toronto last site of my alma mater, not to mention attending my August. This is Part 1 of Elliott’s talk; tune in to the next issue to read daughter’s graduation ceremonies this past June with his exciting conclusion. all its attendant festivities and speeches, has put me in a nostalgic mood, and all of you are about to become the unwitting victims of this mood. I was introduced to P. G. Wodehouse by my father at the tender age of 12. Having announced to him that I had read everything of interest there was to read (I had finished off the Tom Swift series, you understand), I complained bitterly that there was nothing left in life. He handed me his tattered old (first edition, you understand) Nothing But Wodehouse and instructed me to begin at the end with Leave It to Psmith. Now, if this were a fairy tale, I would tell you that from that moment on I never looked back, but I must be totally honest with you. I found it silly. I did not even get through the first chapter, and I returned it to him.
    [Show full text]
  • Piccadilly Jim by P.G. Wodehouse
    Piccadilly Jim By P.G. Wodehouse 1 CHAPTER I A RED-HAIRED GIRL The residence of Mr. Peter Pett, the well-known financier, on Riverside Drive is one of the leading eyesores of that breezy and expensive boulevard. As you pass by in your limousine, or while enjoying ten cents worth of fresh air on top of a green omnibus, it jumps out and bites at you. Architects, confronted with it, reel and throw up their hands defensively, and even the lay observer has a sense of shock. The place resembles in almost equal proportions a cathedral, a suburban villa, a hotel and a Chinese pagoda. Many of its windows are of stained glass, and above the porch stand two terra-cotta lions, considerably more repulsive even than the complacent animals which guard New York's Public Library. It is a house which is impossible to overlook: and it was probably for this reason that Mrs. Pett insisted on her husband buying it, for she was a woman who liked to be noticed. Through the rich interior of this mansion Mr. Pett, its nominal proprietor, was wandering like a lost spirit. The hour was about ten of a fine Sunday morning, but the Sabbath calm which was upon the house had not communicated itself to him. There was a look of exasperation on his usually patient face, and a muttered oath, picked up no doubt on the godless Stock Exchange, escaped his 2 lips. "Darn it!" He was afflicted by a sense of the pathos of his position. It was not as if he demanded much from life.
    [Show full text]
  • The Development of Masculinity Through PG Wodehouse's Psmith
    Thompson 1 A Culture in Change: The Development of Masculinity through P.G. Wodehouse’s Psmith Series A Thesis Submitted to The Faculty of the School of Communication In Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Arts in English By Allison Joy Thompson 1 April 2015 Thompson 2 Liberty University School of Communication Master of Arts in English Dr. Emily Heady Date Thesis Chair Dr. William Gribbin Date First Reader Dr. Mark Foreman Date Second Reader Thompson 3 To Mum and Dad: my faithful encouragers Thompson 4 Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………....5 Chapter One: Introduction: The World of P. G. Wodehouse and His Cultural Critique of Edwardian Society………………………………………………………………………………...6 Chapter Two: Mike and Psmith: The Identifying Battlefield of the English Public School……..16 Chapter Three: Psmith in the City: Loss and Return of Identity in the Working World………...30 Chapter Four: Psmith, Journalist: Journalism as Sport and Psmith’s Developing Identity……..53 Chapter Five: Leave it to Psmith: Masculine Identity Through Marriage……………………….75 Conclusion: The Importance of Tradition and Social Custom to Identity……………………….90 Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………………...94 Thompson 5 Abstract P. G. Wodehouse offers a serious and sustained critique of English society using the game of cricket as he follows the lives of two memorable characters, Mike Jackson and Rupert Psmith. Yet Wodehouse has frequently been accused of existing as too innocent of a bystander to understand the underpinnings of society, let alone to offer a critique. For example, Christopher Hitchens in a review of a Wodehouse biography by Robert McCrum states, “Wodehouse was a rather beefy, hearty chap, with a lifelong interest in the sporting subculture of the English boarding school and a highly developed instinct for the main chance.
    [Show full text]
  • Mike and Psmith Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    MIKE AND PSMITH PDF, EPUB, EBOOK P. G. Wodehouse | 224 pages | 28 Sep 2012 | Everyman | 9781841591834 | English | London, United Kingdom Mike and Psmith PDF Book He did not repeat the experiment. Sammy, short for Sampson, was a young bull terrier belonging to Mr. Homely in appearance, perhaps, but one of us. His nature expands before one like some beautiful flower. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. By bad luck it was in his form that Mike had been placed on arrival; and Mr. After a bad start, Wrykyn's fortunes look up when the brothers bat together. The bits after the last of the cricket matches are classic Wodehouse witty, and so worth getting to! To ask other readers questions about Mike and Psmith , please sign up. But rabbits in the daytime is a scheme. The next day, they meet Adair , school cricket captain, and house-master Mr Downing , both of whom are disappointed by the new boys' refusal to play cricket. Have you ever got a spare afternoon? About now, instead of being on his way to a place where they probably ran a Halma team instead of a cricket eleven, and played hunt-the-slipper in winter, he would be on the point of arriving at Wrykyn. Mike began to thread his way back through the trees. Bring On the Girls! Many a bright young lad has been soured by them. After a time there, he persuades his father he should study to become a lawyer, and goes to Cambridge , accompanied as ever by his friend and companion Mike.
    [Show full text]
  • Psmith in the City by P. G. Wodehouse
    Psmith in the City By P. G. Wodehouse 1 Contents 1. Mr Bickersdyke Walks behind the Bowler's Arm 2. Mike Hears Bad News 3. The New Era Begins 4. First Steps in a Business Career 5. The Other Man 6. Psmith Explains 7. Going into Winter Quarters 8. The Friendly Native 9. The Haunting of Mr Bickersdyke 10. Mr Bickersdyke Addresses His Constituents 11. Misunderstood 12. In a Nutshell 13. Mike is Moved On 14. Mr Waller Appears in a New Light 15. Stirring Times on the Common 16. Further Developments 17. Sunday Supper 18. Psmith Makes a Discovery 19. The Illness of Edward 20. Concerning a Cheque 21. Psmith Makes Inquiries 22. And Takes Steps 23. Mr Bickersdyke Makes a Concession 24. The Spirit of Unrest 2 25. At the Telephone 26. Breaking the News 27. At Lord's 28. Psmith Arranges His Future 29. And Mike's 30. The Last Sad Farewells 3 1. Mr Bickersdyke Walks behind the Bowler's Arm Considering what a prominent figure Mr John Bickersdyke was to be in Mike Jackson's life, it was only appropriate that he should make a dramatic entry into it. This he did by walking behind the bowler's arm when Mike had scored ninety-eight, causing him thereby to be clean bowled by a long-hop. It was the last day of the Ilsworth cricket week, and the house team were struggling hard on a damaged wicket. During the first two matches of the week all had been well. Warm sunshine, true wickets, tea in the shade of the trees.
    [Show full text]
  • MIKE and PSMITH by P. G. Wodehouse
    MIKE AND PSMITH By P. G. Wodehouse PREFACE ...............................................................................................................3 1. MR. JACKSON MAKES UP HIS MIND ............................................................4 2. SEDLEIGH .........................................................................................................9 3. PSMITH............................................................................................................12 4. STAKING OUT A CLAIM ...............................................................................15 5. GUERRILLA WARFARE.................................................................................20 6. UNPLEASANTNESS IN THE SMALL HOURS ..............................................25 7. ADAIR ..............................................................................................................29 8. MIKE FINDS OCCUPATION...........................................................................33 9. THE FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.....................................................................38 10. ACHILLES LEAVES HIS TENT....................................................................44 11. THE MATCH WITH DOWNING'S ................................................................48 12. THE SINGULAR BEHAVIOR OF JELLICOE ...............................................55 13. JELLICOE GOES ON THE SICK LIST..........................................................59 14. MIKE RECEIVES A COMMISSION..............................................................62
    [Show full text]
  • Mike and Psmith
    Mike and Psmith P. G. Wodehouse The Manor Wodehouse Collection www.ManorWodehouse.com click here for more free books Tark Classic Fiction an imprint of MANOR Rockville, Maryland 2008 Mike and Psmith by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, in its current format, copyright © Arc Manor 2008. This book, in whole or in part, may not be copied or reproduced in its current format by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the permission of the publisher. The original text has been reformatted for clarity and to fit this edition. Arc Manor, Arc Manor Classic Reprints, Manor Classics, TARK Classic Fiction, The and the Arc Manor logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Arc Manor Publishers, Rockville, Maryland. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. Anila. This book is presented as is, without any warranties (implied or otherwise) as to the accuracy of the production, text or translation. The publisher does not take responsibility for any typesetting, format- ting, translation or other errors which may have occurred during the production of this book. ISBN: 978-1-60450-066-0 Please Visit www.ManorWodehouse.com for a complete list of titles available in our Manor Wodehouse Collection Published by TARK Classic Fiction An Imprint of Arc Manor P. O. Box 10339 Rockville, MD 20849-0339 www.ArcManor.com Printed in the United States of America/United Kingdom Contents Preface 5 Mr. Jackson Makes up His Mind 7 Sedleigh 12 Psmith 15 Staking out a Claim 19 Guerrilla Warfare 24 Unpleasantness in the Small Hours 30 Adair 35 Mike Finds Occupation 40 The Fire Brigade Meeting 45 Achilles Leaves His Tent 51 The Match With Downing’s 55 The Singular Behavior of Jellicoe 63 Jellicoe Goes on the Sick List 68 Mike Receives a Commission 71 ..
    [Show full text]
  • The PG Wodehouse Society
    The P G Wodehouse Society (UK) Information Sheet Number 1 Revised December 2018 Books by P G Wodehouse The purpose of this information sheet is to provide a comprehensive list of the books written by P G Wodehouse. There is no agreement amongst commentators or aficionados as to how many he wrote, for the reasons explained below, and The P G Wodehouse Society (UK) does not express a view on this matter. Please note that the Society’s listing does not include titles of books which have appeared since Wodehouse’s death for which the Wodehouse Trustees did not give consent for publication. In some cases, this may be because the texts, for example short stories in a new compilation, are now in the public domain in the country of publication so that consent was not sought; in other cases, the publication maybe wholly unofficial, in breach of copyright law and not necessarily in a format in which Wodehouse would recognise. Reasons why there can be many legitimate views as to the number of his books include: 1 Several books, particularly collections of short stories, which were published in the United States differed in the minutiae of their contents from the nearest equivalent collection in the United Kingdom. 2 Some books have joint authorship with another person. 3 When referring to his output of fiction, it is necessary to exclude autobiographical and similar work, and collections of essays. 4 It is not uncommon for reports in the media to double-count his output, eg by misusing the term ‘novel’ to include short story collections, and accordingly referring to ‘more than 90 (or even 100) novels and 300 short stories’, when any total number of books approaching 100 will already have to include the collections of short stories.
    [Show full text]
  • Mike at Wrykyn Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    MIKE AT WRYKYN PDF, EPUB, EBOOK P. G. Wodehouse | 208 pages | 30 Sep 2011 | Everyman | 9781841591773 | English | London, United Kingdom Mike at Wrykyn PDF Book You don't need to read this to enjoy Mike and Psmith , so I'd recommend that all but the biggest Wodehouse and cricket fans skip this one and start with the next. Mike takes Wyatt's place in the team, and persuades his father to find Wyatt more interesting work, via his connections in Argentina. The young P. Pearls, Girls and Monty Bodkin P. The Clicking Of Cuthbert P. Frozen Assets P. Targeting cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you and your interests. Reading this novel easily tripled my knowledge of cricket. However, there was far too much cricket talk for me. Wodehouse's customary wit and brilliance. To ask other readers questions about Mike at Wrykyn , please sign up. The White Feather P. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. There are a few eccentric characters, but they're given the sack or discredited, leaving us focused on mostly upright young paragons of British virtue, hard playing and obedient to the team captain. Several short stories are also set at Wrykyn, some of which are listed at List of short stories by P. Bored by their archaeology trips, they wander off one day, and Mike runs into an old cricketing friend, who offers him a place in a local village team. Published January 1st by Penguin Books first published Original Title. Wodehouse's subversive, farcical humor will have to wait for the following book, Enter Psmith.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Book
    The Manor Wodehouse Collection CLICK ON TITLE TO BUY FROM AMAZON.COM Go to www.ManorWodehouse.com for more options and to download e-books The Little Warrior The Swoop William Tell Told Again Mike: A Public School Story Jill the Reckless The Politeness of Princes & Other School Stories The Man Upstairs & Other Stories The Coming of Bill A Man of Means: A Series of Six Stories The Gem Collector The Adventures of Sally The Clicking of Cuthbert A Damsel in Distress Jeeves in the Springtime & Other Stories The Pothunters My Man Jeeves The Girl on the Boat Mike & Psmith The White Feather The Man With Two Left Feet & Other Stories Piccadilly Jim Psmith in the City Right Ho, Jeeves Uneasy Money A Prefect’s Uncle Psmith Journalist The Prince and Betty Something New The Gold Bat & Other Stories Head of Kay’s The Intrusion of Jimmy The Little Nugget Love Among the Chickens Tales of St. Austin’s Indiscretions of Archie Jeeves, Emsworth and Others Mike A Public School Story P. G. Wodehouse Illustrations By T. M. R. Whitwell The Manor Wodehouse Collection Tark Classic Fiction an imprint of MANOR Rockville, Maryland 2008 Mike - A Public School Story by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, in its current format, copyright © Arc Manor 2008. Th is book, in whole or in part, may not be copied or reproduced in its current format by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the permission of the publisher. Th e original text has been reformatted for clarity and to fi t this edition. Arc Manor, Arc Manor Classic Reprints, Manor Classics, TARK Classic Fiction, Th e and the Arc Manor logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Arc Manor Publishers, Rockville, Maryland.
    [Show full text]
  • Psmith, Journalist by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse</H1>
    Psmith, Journalist by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse Psmith, Journalist by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse Produced by Jim Tinsley [email protected] Psmith, Journalist by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse PREFACE THE conditions of life in New York are so different from those of London that a story of this kind calls for a little explanation. There are several million inhabitants of New York. Not all of them eke out a precarious livelihood by murdering one another, but there is a definite section of the population which murders--not casually, on the spur of the moment, but on definitely commercial lines at so many dollars per murder. The "gangs" of New York exist in fact. I have not invented them. Most of the incidents in this story are based on actual happenings. The Rosenthal case, where four men, headed by a genial individual calling himself "Gyp the page 1 / 309 Blood" shot a fellow-citizen in cold blood in a spot as public and fashionable as Piccadilly Circus and escaped in a motor-car, made such a stir a few years ago that the noise of it was heard all over the world and not, as is generally the case with the doings of the gangs, in New York only. Rosenthal cases on a smaller and less sensational scale are frequent occurrences on Manhattan Island. It was the prominence of the victim rather than the unusual nature of the occurrence that excited the New York press. Most gang victims get a quarter of a column in small type. P. G. WODEHOUSE New York, 1915 CHAPTER I "COSY MOMENTS" The man in the street would not have known it, but a great crisis was imminent in New York journalism.
    [Show full text]