Whirligigs

Whirligigs (1910) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of poverty and provincial life with humor and abundant empathy. “The Ransom of Red Chief,” the most notable of the collection’s twenty-four stories, is considered one of Henry’s finest works and has been adapted numerous times for television and film. “The Ransom of Red Chief” follows two petty criminals named Bill and Sam, who...