Another well - known one is 'The Ransom of Red Chief'. It tells a rather comical and unexpected story about kidnapping. The kidnapped boy is so unruly that the kidnappers end up paying the boy's father to take him back.
Then there is 'After Twenty Years'. It shows the loyalty and the changes that can happen over time between two friends who made a pact to meet after twenty years.
One of the most famous is 'The Gift of the Magi'. It's a touching story about a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other.
Another well - known short story is 'The Ransom of Red Chief'. In this story, two men kidnap a boy for ransom, but the boy turns out to be so much trouble that they end up paying the boy's father to take him back. It's a humorous and ironic tale.
O Henry was a famous American short story writer, known as the father of modern American short stories. His works were famous for their humor, clever plots, and unexpected endings. His most famous works included The Last Leaf and Twenty Years Later. His works often depicted the complexity and contradiction of human nature and were deeply loved by readers.
In many of his stories, like 'The Gift of the Magi', there is situational irony. The wife sells her long hair to buy a chain for her husband's watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for her hair. They both sacrifice something precious, but the gifts they get for each other seem useless because of what they sold.
Some of the popular ones are 'The Gift of the Magi'. It's a touching story about a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy gifts for each other.
Well, 'The Cop and the Anthem' is really good. It tells about a homeless man who tries different ways to get arrested so he can have a warm place to stay during winter. And 'A Retrieved Reformation' is also a classic. It shows how a reformed criminal's past catches up with him in an unexpected way.
One of the popular stories is 'The Gift of the Magi'. It's about a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. The wife cuts off her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for her husband's precious watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's hair. It shows the selfless love between them.
One notable feature is O'Henry's unique writing style. His stories often have unexpected twists at the end. In this 1929 collection, you can expect to find his characteristic use of irony and humor. The characters are usually vividly portrayed, coming from different walks of life in the society of that time.
O Henry's stories often have unexpected endings. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple sacrifices their most precious possessions only to find out the gifts they got for each other are now useless in a practical sense but extremely meaningful in terms of love. His stories also typically feature ordinary people in common situations, like clerks, shopkeepers, etc. And he uses vivid language to describe the settings and characters, making the stories very engaging.
One of the most renowned short stories by O Henry is 'The Last Leaf'. Its poignant plot and vivid characters make it stand out.