Readers the world over recognize O. Henry as the best short story writer of the early twentieth century. Today an ingenious surprise at the end of a story is described as "an O. Henry twist," and a prominent short fiction award bears his name. Widely known as a master of irony, O. Henry had at his command dazzling wordplay and a wry combination of pathos and humor. Including his most famous writings, such as "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Furnished Room," this collection demonstrates his extraordinary technical genius. Arranged according to geographic location, these tales cover the wide range of O. Henry's world, from the streets of his beloved New York City to exotic locales south of the