THE JOHN O'HARA SOCIETY

THE JOHN O'HARA SOCIETY

On June 22, 1929, publication of "Holes in Stockings." The New Yorker. A short piece wherein five people comment on a common problem. One of them: Peppery Vixen, Age 20: "Look! Did you ever? . . . Why, that hole. Look at that hole. Can't you see it? Oh, that's awfully nice of you to pretend not to see it, but I think it's perfectly disgusting the way that even the best stockings . . . "

On June 22, 1963, publication of "The Man on the Tractor." The New Yorker. The Hat on the Bed. Gibbsville, PA.

"They were the fabulous Denisons, Pammie and George," wealthy and haughty, who grew up in Gibbsville and several decades later return for business - namely to sell a final real estate parcel inherited by George, his last link to Gibbsville, except for his stock in the bank.

In this nostalgic story, which is probably based on the author's personal feelings in returning to Pottsville after several years, George meets and talks with people he knew as a child and young man - Karl Isaminger, who used to chauffeur his aunt, and Mike Kelly, who used to play baseball with George.

At the bank, where he signs the deed, Andy Stokes tells George about the other friends of theirs, their sundry illnesses, to prepare him for a small gathering to be held that evening with them and the Denisons.

George and Pammie then drive out to the country, stop, kiss, and reminisce. They talk about Pammie's affair several years ago with Tommy Williams, he finally forgives her.

"And don't be depressed by what we see tonight, at Alice and Andy's."
"Thank you," she said. "I Won't. Now."
"Here comes a man on a tractor," he said. "He thinks we're lost."