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Pen name of William Sidney Porter. Short story writer (1862-1910) known for his use of the surprise ending. He started writing while imprisoned for embezzlement and was already popular when he was released. ALS signed “Sydney Porter,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8.25, no date. Letter to journalist Marion Longfellow, niece of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In full: “It was mighty nice of you not to forget all about having met me the next morning. I appreciate your permission to call again to see you and Miss Walsh; and am going to ask you to let me avail myself of the privilege very soon. I hope the curfew won’t ring so soon next time. I’ll send another note the first minute I find my own, and see if we can’t have an outing again.” In fine condition, with several light brushes to signature, and some very faint toning to edges and along central horizontal fold. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Porter’s hand.
Presumably written before the 1887 elopement of the author and his 17-year-old girlfriend, this note has all of the makings of a man smitten by a female acquaintance. Unlike the surprise endings of O. Henry’s many tales, this story apparently did not have the desired outcome for Porter...though his eventual marriage and literary success with stories of ordinary people such as clerks, policemen, and waitresses must have softened the defeat. RRAuction COA.
