Short Fiction Henry, O.: The Gentle Grafter. v1. 11 Apr 2026

[GrannyGrump]

These fourteen short stories revolve around the schemes and misadventures of two charming con men, Jeff Peters and Andy Tucker, traveling across small-town America as they engage in a variety of con games and dubious enterprises, often with a light-hearted approach to their morally questionable activities.

The stories are known for their conversational tone, with Jeff reflecting on his adventures as a “friend of the people” who scams only those who are foolish or greedy. The stories blend wit, humor, and social satire, often highlighting human greed or irony. Many stories feature characteristic twist endings, where the con men sometimes get outsmarted or only succeed through clever manipulation.

Includes additional illustrations retrieved from magazine versions.

List of stories:

Spoiler:

The Octopus Marooned
Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet
Modern Rural Sports
The Chair of Philanthromathematics
The Hand That Riles the World
The Exact Science of Matrimony
A Midsummer Masquerade
Shearing the Wolf
Innocents of Broadway
Conscience in Art
The Man Higher Up
A Tempered Wind
Hostages to Momus
The Ethics of Pig

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American writer O. Henry is famous for his short stories. His tales romanticized the commonplace—in particular, the life of ordinary people in New York City. Plot twists and surprise endings became identified with his name. His best-known tales may arguably be “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Ransom of Red Chief”.

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The text of this book is in the public domain worldwide; illustrations are public domain where copyright is “Life+70” or less, and in the USA.
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