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Humorous Short Stories
by Anna Shirey
Going with Aprils humor in literature theme, I decided to write an article focusing on three of my favorite humorous short stories. When it comes to funny tales it is hard to find better storytellers than Edith Wharton, O. Henry and Mark Twain. From the satire of Wharton to the laugh-out-loud comedy of Twain these stories have been enjoyed by generations for their unique and brilliant sense of humor.
 Xingu is the perfect showcase for Edith Whartons clever use of satire. In this story Wharton introduces her readers to an intellectual womens society, The Lunch Club. Discussing books and entertaining prominent guests, The Lunch Club consists of six women of Hillbridge's upper-class society. Wharton skillfully portrays the pompous and petty members of the club who are deluded with thoughts of intellect and great self importance. Humor and irony are detected as the one member of The Lunch Club, possessing sense and sincerity, shrewdly exposes the foolishness of the other members.
 O. Henry, a writer known for surprise twists and unexpected endings, has written a story of wonderful irony in The Ransom of Red Chief. This is a story of kidnapping and ransom. The humorous is evident upon discovering who is really being held captive and who pays the ransom. O. Henry, otherwise known as Sydney Porter, tells a delightful tale about a kidnapped red-haired boy who likes to be called Red Chief and turns out to be more than a handful for the con men that kidnapped him. Red Chiefs father responds to the ransom note by kindly offering to take his son back if the kidnappers pay him $250 when they return him. The father also warns the kidnappers that they would be wise to bring the boy back at night because the neighbors are happy about his disappearance and might harm anyone returning him. Ill let you read the story to find out whether or not the con men take Red Chiefs father up on his generous offer.
 Finally we come to How I Edited An Agricultural Paper by the great humorist, Mark Twain. Twain, a brilliant storyteller, uses both exaggeration and understatement to discribe the editors inexperience relating to farm life. An older gentleman approches the new editor questioning his editorial. The ensuing dialog between the two men is a first-rate demonstration of Twain's usual wit. The comical exchanges continue as other readers come to make their complaints. The naive editors mistakes never fail to make me laugh out loud.
Anna Shirey is the Dusty Shelf publisher.
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