A collection of short fiction by O. Henry. This is my first direct exposure to O. Henry's work, and I can definitely see the appeal of his writing style. Henry's more humorous pieces remind me of Mark Twain in their ability to fill the gaps with subtle humor of a wise-crack variety, while the more preachy plot-twists feel more heavy-handed. I can definitely see my self reading more of his work. In this collection:

Roads of Destiny - Told in four parts (the other three being The Left Branch, The Right Branch, and The Main Road), a metaphorical tale about the inability to escape one's destiny. One of Henry's less than uplifting tales. Themes: Fate, Art (Poetry)

The Guardian of the Accolade - A misunderstanding results in the right outcome, albeit for the wrong reasons, with some rather unfortunate dialogue.Themes: Vice/Virtue, Misunderstanding, Banks

The Discounters of Money - A rich young man learns what money can't buy. Themes: Money, Romance

The Enchanted Profile - A stenographer becomes the unwitting obsession of a miserly spinster for all of the wrong reasons. Themes: Money, Romance

Next to Reading Matter - A sort of retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac as a cough drops ad, more or less. This one was a tad underwhelming. Themes: Con Artists

Art and the Bronco - Artistic aspirations and political manipulations come to blows. One common thread popping up in many of these stories involves individuals with artistic aspirations that lack the talent to follow their muse, usually with the message being that common folk shouldn't try to be artists; a strange position for a writer to come from. Themes: Art (Painting), Bureaucracy

Phoebe - The story of Bad-Luck Kearny, born under an unlucky star. Themes: Fate, Revolution

A Double-Dyed Deceiver - A con-job goes wrong. Or does it? Themes: Con Artists, Fate

The Passing of Black Eagle - A Rags to Riches story, of sorts, regarding the sudden arrival and mysterious disappearance of an outlaw legend. Themes: Con Artists, Derelicts

A Retrieved Reformation - A notorious safe-cracker takes a stab at the straight and narrow. Themes: Redemption, Criminals

Cherchez La Femme - Two reporters attempt to find the woman behind a dead man's missing fortune. Themes: Misunderstanding, Money

Friends in San Rosario - A bank examiner is treated to a tale of friendship upon finding a shortfall. Themes: Loyalty, Bureaucracy, Banks

The Fourth in Salvador - An Independence Day celebration by a handful of patriots in a banana republic gets a little out of hand. Themes: Patriotism, Bureaucracy, Revolution

The Emancipation of Billy - A father/son story, Themes: Community, Family

The Enchanted Kiss - Another story about romance and fate, feels very similar to Roads of Destiny. Themes: Fate, Romance

A Departmental Case - An aging cowboy turned federal employee tries to cut through the red tape to help an old friend's daughter. Themes: Loyalty, Bureaucracy

The Renaissance at Charleroi - A weird little parable about fading royalty and lost family, the ending is a bit too predictable. Themes: Romance, Family, Derelicts

On Behalf of the Management - A tale of third-world politics and the management of men. Themes: Bureaucracy, Business, Revolution

Whistling Dick's Christmas Stocking - A Hobo's Christmas Eve adventures. Themes: Derelicts, Redemption

The Halberdier of the Little Rheinschloss - A "Prince and the Pauper" type story, this one is probably more entertaining than it should be due to the main narrator, Waiter Eighteen. Themes: Rich/Poor

Two Renegades - A converted confederate explains to an old friend why he left the North for the South. Cute story. Themes: Revolution, Military, Bureaucracy

The Lonesome Road - A yarn about committing matrimony in the old west. One of my favorite in this collection. ( )

Great series of Vignettes. Author has amazing ear for the rural dialect of the varied characters depicted. Stories detail life in a past romantic era passed by progress. Great chance to relive a time that may not have ever really existed to real life. Fast moving and engaging! Now I know why O Henry has such a wide distribution and affectionate following. Highly recommend for those wanting a flavor of the past with the capture of "Real" characters. ( )