William Sydney Porter, more famous by his pen name O. Henry, was an American author of short stories. His stories were distinguished for their witty approach, use of words, effects of coincidence on their characters and most often for their surprise endings. His tales often dramatized the common place, especially the life of commoners of New York City. O. Henry was also a music enthusiast and a good singer and could play guitar and mandolin. His early life saw him singing at gatherings as a member of ‘Hill City Quartet’ group. He was incarcerated for embezzlement of funds at the ‘First National Bank’ in Austin where he worked as a bookkeeper and teller. On an impulsive move he fled to New Orleans and then to Honduras, a day before his trial, while he was being taken to the courthouse. However, later he surrendered after news of serious illness of his wife reached him. Many of his short stories were published while he was in prison. His notable and famous stories include ‘The Gift of the Magi’, ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’, ‘The Cop and the Anthem’, ‘The Caballero's Way’ and ‘A Retrieved Reformation’. Some of his stories such as ‘The Sacrifice’, ‘His Duty’ and ‘Trying to Get Arrested’ were adapted as silent films during his lifetime.