The Touch of Abner

"The Touch of Abner" by H. A. Cody is a story about Abner Andrews, a funny and honest man from the countryside, and his views on life, how people should act, and the difficulties of living in a rural area. The story follows Abner's experiences as he deals with different people in his town, especially when it comes to helping orphans and those suffering because of poverty. Abner's charm, boldness, and a bit of stubbornness lead him into all sorts of adventures, both good and bad. The story starts with Abner making a bold promise of a thousand dollars at a town meeting about building an orphanage, which causes a stir among the people there and starts discussions about doing good and helping others. Along with his wife, Tildy, Abner isn't afraid to say what he thinks and challenges the true intentions of those who donate to important causes. Through his conversations with Tildy about their money problems, his funny opinions on society, and his caring attitude towards orphans, we begin to see that Abner is more than just a funny character, but also has a wise and thoughtful understanding of people and the world around him.