Jimmy Valentine's Short Story 'A Retrieved Reformation'

The short story, “A Retrieved Reformation” tells readers about Jimmy Valentine and his both criminal and cunning ways. “A Retrieved Reformation” takes place during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s in Elmore, Arkansas. After serving a mere ten months of a four year sentence in prison, Jimmy Valentine was released. When he returned home, Jimmy reacquired his personal set of fine burglary tools. The text states Jimmy cleaned as well as dusted his suitcase containing these tools before soon participating in more criminal activities. Just a week after Mr. Valentine’s release from prison, a bank was robbed by him in Richmond, Indiana. Later, a bank in Jefferson City was robbed of five thousand dollars by Jimmy and his nifty safe-cracking ways. The

detective, Ben Price, had been placed on Jimmy Valentine’s case and was given the task of finding him. To cover up, Jimmy registered at the Planter’s hotel as Ralph D. Spencer. Under his new title, Ralph opened a shoe store, directly next to the bank in Elmore. Because of his close proximity to the bank, Ralph met Annabel Adams, the daughter of the owner of the bank. Ralph and Annabel fall in love, and shortly engage to become married. Ralph then wrote a letter to an old friend of his, Billy, giving him his tools close friend, because he no longer had use for the high-end tool collection. A relative of Annabel’s, Agatha, becomes trapped inside of a bank safe. Ralph, channeled his inner Jimmy, and opened his suitcase of tools onto the table. Within minutes, Jimmy had freed Agatha from the safe. Jimmy then left the bank, with Annabel calling after him. Jimmy did not turn back to acknowledge his fiancé, instead he was instructed by a waiting Ben Price to leave Elmore. Jimmy, who changed his name to hide his criminal identity, made a life for himself in Elmore, but when he revealed his safe-cracking talents, he was forced to leave the town forever.