The Sporting Editor on Culture

"The Sporting Editor on Culture" is a collection of humorous and insightful essays by O. Henry, where the author explores the interplay between sport and culture. Through his characteristic wit and keen observations, O. Henry examines the societal implications of sports, the dynamics of competition, and their influence on everyday life. The essays reflect his mastery of storytelling and language, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking commentary on the nuances of American culture at the turn of the 20th century. With O. Henry's signature blend of charm and irony, the book invites readers to consider the broader implications of sporting pursuits within the tapestry of society.

• Short story

								
"Is the literary editor in?"

The sporting editor looked up from the paper he was reading, and saw a
vision of female loveliness about twenty years of age, with soft blue
eyes, and a heavy mass of golden brown hair arranged in a coiffure of
the latest and most becoming style.

"Nope," said the sporting editor, "you can bet your life he ain't in.
He's out trying to get bail for having assaulted a man who wrote to
the Letter Box to ask if ten men could build a house in twenty-seven
and one-half days by working eight hours a day, how many buttons would
be required for a coat of paint for same house. Did you call to see
about a poem, or did you want him to sneak you some coupons for the
bicycle contest?"

"Neither," said the young lady, with dignity. "I am the secretary of
the Houston Young Ladies' Society of Ethical Culture, and I was
appointed a committee to call upon the literary editor and consult him
as to the best plan for the exercise of our various functions."

"Now, that's a good thing," said the sporting editor. "I don't seem to
exactly catch on to 'ethical,' but if it's anything like physical
culture you girls are going in for, you've trotted up to the right
rack. I can tell you more about the proper way to exercise your
functions in one minute than the literary editor can in an hour. He
understands all about the identity of the wherefore and the origin of
the pyramids, but he can't punch the bag, or give you any pointers how
to increase your chest measurement. How long has your society been in
training?"

"We organized last month," answered the lady, looking at the cheerful
face of the reporter rather doubtfully.

"Well, now, how do you girls breathe--with your lungs or with your
diaphragm?"

"Sir?"

"Oh, you'll have to start in right, and you've got to know how to
breathe. The first thing is to keep your chest out, your shoulders
back, and go through arm exercises for a few days. Then you can try
something like this: Keep the upper part of the figure erect, and
standing on one leg, try to--"

"Sir!" exclaimed the young lady severely, "you are presumptuous. I do
not understand your obscure talk. Our society is not connected with a
gymnasium. Our aim is the encouragement of social ethics."

"Oh," returned the sporting editor, in a disappointed tone, "you are
on the society and pink tea racket. Sorry. That lets me out. Hoped you
were going in for athletics. You could do it so well, too. Take my
advice now, and try that little exercise every morning for a week.
You'll be surprised to see how much it will benefit your muscles. As I
said, just stand on one--"

Bang! went the door, and the blue-eyed young lady was gone.

"It's a pity," said the sporting editor, "that these girls don't pay
some attention to self-culture without that--that ethical part."
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