O. Henry was a prolific American short-story writer-a master of surprise endings-who wrote about the life of ordinary people in New York City. Here is "A Blackjack Bargainer," the story of the drunken Yancey Goree, a washed-up lawyer who has lost his money, possessions, property, and self-respect as a result of playing poker. After settling a feud, however, he manages to redeem himself by trading places with an old rival. Proceeds from sale of this title go to Reach Out and Read, an innovative literacy advocacy organization.