American 🇺🇸

Henry's short story, Hearts and Hands, was first published in 1902. It was credited to Sidney Porter -- the author's real name is William Sidney Porter -- but like his other stories it is now collected under O. Henry, his more popular and famous pen name.

Like O'Henry's personal life, this story is full of twists and wordplay. The reader should note that O. Henry was accused of embezzelling $854.08 from a bank where he worked. He fled to Honduras, but returned to Austin TX to be with his sick wife. He turned himself in when he arrived and was sentenced to five years in federal prison. He was released shortly before this story was published, which makes its unexpected sources of compassion particularly poignant