William Nadel - editor and great, great, great nephew of the author - writes in this new collection: "Why O. Henry? Why now? The answer came in a local bookstore from a young science fiction writer. 'O. Henry inspired me to become a writer!' she proclaimed. 'He knew how to tell a story and he knew how to create memorable characters!' "Bold Venture Press has given me the chance to select what I feel are thirty of my great Uncle's most interesting stories, including a 31st story - his only collaboration with another author, his 'pard' Al Jennings. Each story is prefaced with notes regarding the origins of stories, how they represent a simpler time in New York City and elsewhere, and how they remain relevant more than 100 years later. O. Henry captured the essence of human want and desire like no other author before or since." In addition to a comprehensive bibliography of O. Henry's works, this volume features thirty-one stories: The Caballero's Way (first appearance of The Cisco Kid) The Skylight Room Hearts and Hands A Retrieved Reformation The Marionettes While the Auto Waits Madame Bo-Peep, of the Ranches The Cactus The Crucible Nemesis and the Candy Man After Twenty Years The Trimmed Lamp The Count and the Wedding Guest The (original) Money Maze Smith The (New) Money Maze The Last Leaf Mammon and the Archer The Cop and the Anthem The Memento The Fifth Wheel The Unknown Quantity The Caliph, Cupid and the Clock The Purple Dress The Discounters of Money The Furnished Room By Courier The Romance of a Busy Broker The Marry Month of May Let Me Feel Your Pulse Hard to Forget The Gift of the Magi Holding Up a Train