"O. Henry," one the most famous and beloved magazine bylines of the early 20th century, first appeared over a short story in the December 1899 issue of McClure’s magazine, called “Whistling Dick’s Christmas Stocking.”
As readers would eventually learn, “Henry” was actually William Sydney Porter, a convicted embezzler doing time at the federal pen in Columbus, Ohio, and sending out stories under an assortment of pseudonyms. With the McClure’s sale, O. Henry became the one that stuck.
Porter went on to write other Christmas tales after his release from prison, including his holiday classic, “The Gift of the Magi.” Like many of O. Henry's stories, it builds toward a surprise ending, not to be spoiled here.
Incidentally, Porter was briefly the editor and owner of a weekly humor publication called The Rolling Stone.
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