Question: What prolific writer of short stories was convicted of embezzling money from an Austin bank?
Answer: William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry. Born in North Carolina in 1862, he moved to Texas at the age of 19. Porter later found employment as a teller and bookkeeper for First National Bank of Austin, but he lost his job when he was accused of embezzling money. A federal audit led to an indictment, prompting Porter to flee the country for Honduras. He returned to the U.S. when his wife fell ill. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to prison in Ohio.