Short Fiction · Chapter
One Dollar's Worth explained
District Attorney Bob Littlefield and his fiancée Nancy Derwent go plover shooting, but are ambushed by Mexico Sam, a vengeful ex-convict who has threatened Judge Derwent and Littlefield.
What happens
District Attorney Bob Littlefield and his fiancée Nancy Derwent go plover shooting, but are ambushed by Mexico Sam, a vengeful ex-convict who has threatened Judge Derwent and Littlefield. Meanwhile, Littlefield is prosecuting Rafael Ortiz for passing a counterfeit dollar, a crime committed to save his lover Joya Treviñas's life. During the ambush, Littlefield recalls Joya's warning and uses a pocketknife to cut the counterfeit dollar, loading it into his gun to fatally wound Mexico Sam.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Consequence
The chapter explores the consequences of crime through Mexico Sam's revenge plot and Rafael Ortiz's desperate act to save Joya's life.
Love and Romance
Romantic love drives both the main plot (Littlefield and Nancy's engagement) and the subplot (Rafael's sacrifice for Joya).
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The counterfeit dollar symbolizes deception, while Joya's plea reveals the true motive behind the crime.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
Narrates the events of the chapter.
- Andy Donovan
Referred to as Bob Littlefield, the district attorney who is engaged to Nancy Derwent and targeted by Mexico Sam.
- Annie Williams
Referred to as Nancy Derwent, the judge's daughter and Littlefield's fiancée, who accompanies him on the shooting trip.
- George Ringo
Referred to as Mexico Sam, the half-breed desperado who ambushes Littlefield and Nancy.
- Tonia Perez
Referred to as Joya Treviñas, the Mexican girl who pleads for Rafael Ortiz's release.
- Young Murray
Referred to as Rafael Ortiz, the young Mexican accused of passing a counterfeit dollar.
Key passages
“If the life of the girl you love is ever in danger, remember Rafael Ortiz.”
Joya Treviñas warns Littlefield that if his beloved is ever threatened, he should recall Rafael Ortiz's sacrifice.
This line foreshadows Littlefield's use of the counterfeit dollar to save Nancy.
“I guess the Greaser's as good as behind the bars.”
Deputy Kilpatrick expresses confidence that Rafael Ortiz will be convicted.
Reflects the racial prejudice of the era against Mexicans in the legal system.
“Open fire on him, Nan, across the horse's back. Fire as fast as you can! You can't hurt him, but keep him dodging shot for one minute while I try to work a little scheme.”
Littlefield instructs Nancy to shoot rapidly to distract Mexico Sam while he prepares a countermeasure.
Demonstrates Littlefield's quick thinking under pressure.