Answer: "After 20 Years" is a short story by O. Henry, known for his use of irony and twist endings. The irony in this story lies in the fact that the two main characters, Bob and Jimmy, make plans to meet each other after 20 years and end up missing each other by just a few minutes. Bob, now a successful police officer, arrives at the designated meeting place a few minutes late, just as Jimmy is leaving. The reader is led to believe that Jimmy is a down-on-his-luck vagrant, but it is later revealed that Jimmy is actually a wealthy businessman, who is mistaken for a burglar by Bob.
This twist ending is a classic example of O. Henry's ironic storytelling style, as it turns the reader's expectations on their head. The irony is heightened by the fact that Bob, who is now a respected police officer, fails to recognize his childhood friend and nearly arrests him, while Jimmy, who is now a successful man, is nearly arrested by his old friend. The irony of the situation underscores the theme of the story, which is the passage of time and the changes it brings, and highlights the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
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