The Ransom of Red Chief
In the short story "The Ransom of Red Chief," two men, Bill and Sam, decide to kidnap a young boy named Johnny Dorset in hopes of getting a ransom from his wealthy father. However, they soon realize that Johnny is not the typical child they expected.
Johnny turns out to be a handful, constantly causing trouble and making life difficult for Bill and Sam. He even starts to enjoy being kidnapped, referring to himself as "Red Chief" and having fun tormenting his captors.
As the days go by, Bill and Sam become increasingly desperate to get rid of Johnny and decide to return him to his father without asking for any ransom. They are relieved to be rid of the troublesome boy, but Johnny's antics leave a lasting impression on them.
Overall, "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a humorous and entertaining story that explores the unexpected consequences of a failed kidnapping attempt.