Twelve short stories by O. Henry. One of the most famous pseudonym's in history, the name O. Henry evokes wordplay that is dazzling, inventive, wry, and humorous. O. Henry began writing short stories as a prison inmate, and he quickly fine tuned his skills behind the bars and developed into an excellent storyteller. The distinctive characteristic of O. Henry's short stories is the ironic twist at the end, which never fails to surprise and entertain. O. Henry's suspense and trademark ironic twist ensures that readers who have a good literary taste in short stories will not be disappointed. These stories were written in the first half of the twentieth century, and O. Henry's use of language far surpasses that of most contemporary writers. His stories also demonstrate his unique insight into the social conditions of his time.