# Had a Use for It explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

A man brings a lengthy handwritten refutation of the President's message to a Texas newspaper editor, who, desperate for content to fill his pages, accepts it and then has his staff erase the text to reuse the paper.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Irony

The editor's practical solution to a financial problem—erasing the manuscript to reuse the paper—is presented with ironic humor.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

The editor pretends to value the manuscript for its content, but actually intends to erase it, deceiving the author.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator describes the scene and the editor's thoughts.

### William Wagstaff Confesses to Editor

The editor who receives the manuscript and devises a plan to reuse the paper.

## Key lines

> I’ve worked nineteen hours upon it, but it’s done at last.

The author proudly announces completion of his lengthy manuscript after nearly a day of labor.

_Highlights the author's earnest effort and the irony of its fate._

> You can leave it; I have no doubt I can use it to advantage.

The editor accepts the manuscript, implying he will put it to good use, though his true intention is to erase it.

_Demonstrates the editor's deceptive practicality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/had-a-use-for-it
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters