Author of “The Four Million,” “The Voice of the City,” — “The Trimmed Lamp,” “Strictly Business,” — “Sixes and Sevens,” etc

1919

    O. Henry, Afrite-Chef of all delight—
    Of all delectables conglomerate
    That stay the starved brain and rejuvenate
    The Mental Man! The æsthetic appetite—
    So long enhungered that the “inards” fight
    And growl gutwise—its pangs thou dost abate
    And all so amiably alleviate,
    Joy pats his belly as a hobo might
    Who haply hath obtained a cherry pie
    With no burnt crust at all, ner any seeds;
    Nothin’ but crisp crust, and the thickness fit.
    And squashin’-juicy, an’ jes’ mighty nigh
    Too dratted, drippin’-sweet for human needs,
    But fer the sosh of milk that goes with it.
    Written in the character of “Sherrard
    Plummer” by James Whitcomb Riley