1912–13 Volume 37 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

474 THE SCROLLHe knew 0. Henry better than anybody else, admired his geniusextravagantly—the personality more than the genius however—andonly a short while before his own death, made an extensive tripthrough Texas collecting original data for a life of O. Henry whichhe left unfinished.It was the writer's pleasure to have visited Mr. Steger at his homeon Long Island and to have seen much of him on his visits to theSouth in the interest of his work. He came to recognize him as arare and fine type of man. Mentally gifted in many lines, with aninsatiable thirst for all kinds of knowledge and experience, especiallyof the human interest variety, with an integrity as keen as washis interest in everything living, and dead, for that matter, and witha generosity and friendliness that had no limit, he played out hisbrief role in the drama of life, brilliantly and lovingly, and died withthe profoundest regret of all those who had enjoyed his genial andwhimsical companionship. That his loss to his publishing concernis irreparable is attested by a volume issued in his memory filledwith expressions of affection and regret including those from manyof the country's best known literary people.The following characteristic memoranda, in the nature of an impressionisticautobiography, were found among his private effects.At the time of his death, his wife, who with his father and mothersurvive him, was in Paris, France, in company with Miss MaryPorter, O. Henry's only daughter. The "naughty boy" referenceaffecting his appointment as first Rhodes Scholar from Texas, hadto do with a college boy prank in which he figured in firing off acannon on the campus during his senior year at the University ofTexas.Born March 2, 1883, at Moscow, Tenn., near Memphis. Moved to Memphisand there fed squirrels in Court Square for seven years; then moved to Bonham,Texas. Private school for a year; then public schools of Bonhamuntil graduation in 1897. Delivered a high school address entitled "Charactervs. Reputation," cribbed from various sources. Entered University of Texasin Septelnber, 1897, having donned long trousers especially for that event.President of sophomore class, business manager University Magazine, chairmanfinal ball, an editor on the staff of tbe university paper; editor-in-chief ofthe Cactus, the university annual; Key orator; member Phi Beta Kappa,Phi Delta Theta, Theta Nu Epsilon; Goo Roos (local but interesting) ; Fellow inGreek and Latin; took M. A. degree for metrical translation of Aristophenes*Greek Comedy, "The Wasps"; played tennis and scrub football (beingsquashed out flat by a Mexican half back on the dummy team) ; at timesthought myself a sad, sad dog.Taught Greek and Latin in the Mineola (Texas) High School one year;taught Latin in the Bonham High School one year; went to Johns Hopkinsand studied Sanskirt. Went thence to Germany. Had previously passed thequalifying examination for the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford but was notgiven the appointment because I had been a naughty boy. Later receivedthe appointment, went to Balliol College, Oxford; became president of theArnold Literary Society there; contributed to the Oxford periodicals; traveledon the European continent; worked on a German newspaijer in Cologne;went to Monte Carlo for the London Express; arrested by the Italian Army