Alias Jimmy Valentine by O Henry

The author

O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter, an American short story writer: 
Birth: Born on September 11, 1862 on a plantation in Greensboro, North Carolina 
Education: Attended school briefly before entering the workforce 
Early work: Worked in a drugstore owned by his uncle, and later at a ranch in Texas 
Writing: Began writing after marrying in 1887, and worked as a reporter and writer for a newspaper.
Imprisonment: Convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to five years in prison, where he adopted the pen name O. Henry and began writing short stories .
New York: Moved to New York in 1902, where he wrote over one hundred stories in less than two years 
Death: Died in New York City in 1910 from diabetes and other complications .
O. Henry's work is known for its dry, humorous style and use of coincidences and surprise endings. He is considered a pioneer in writing about the lives of lower-class and middle-class New Yorkers. 
Alias Jimmy Valentine is a story about a former bank robber who tries to go straight but must choose between saving a child's life and exposing himself to arrest: 
The story
Jimmy Valentine is a safecracker who is released from prison after being pardoned. He changes his name to Lee Randall and works at a bank for three years. He is about to marry Annabel Adams when Detective Doyle shows up with proof of Valentine's guilt. However, a young girl becomes trapped in the bank safe and no one has the combination. Valentine uses his skills to open the safe, knowing that it will give away his identity. The detective decides to leave without arresting Valentine. 
The themes
The story is about redemption, the power of love, and the idea that it's never too late to change your life. It also shows that even a cold-hearted criminal can change, but one's past always catches up with them. 
Adaptations
The story has been adapted into multiple films and a play: 
Play: Paul Armstrong wrote a play based on the story in 1909. It was produced by Liebler & Company and starred H. B. Warner and Laurette Taylor. 
Films: The story was adapted into multiple films between 1915 and 1942, including a 1915 silent film starring Robert Warwick and a 1920 film starring Lytell.