# Andy Donovan — Short Fiction character guide > Andy Donovan in Short Fiction by O. Henry. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Andy, Andy Tucker, Tucker **First appearance:** 0000-lord-oakhurst-s-curse ## Snapshot A smooth-talking schemer with a professional pride in his cons, Andy Donovan can talk a mark out of his fortune and then feel guilty about the technique. ## Who they are Andy Donovan and his partner Jeff Peters work the soft con, but Andy's conscience keeps complicating the business — he'd rather invent a graceful excuse than simply rob a trusting stranger. When a whiskered Brooklynite hands over five thousand dollars for safekeeping and cheerfully loses at poker, Andy's pride as a player is wounded even as his wallet is spared. His blend of larceny and scruple gives these stories their comic moral weather. ## Relationships ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Andy Donovan is a loyal friend to the narrator, frequently interacting in social or casual settings. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Andy Donovan is a loyal friend to the narrator, frequently interacting in social or casual settings. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Andy Donovan is a loyal friend to the narrator, frequently interacting in social or casual settings. ## In the story ### [Fickle Fortune or How Gladys Hustled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/fickle-fortune-or-how-gladys-hustled) Not present in this chapter. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the Populist Candidate who is accused and protests. ### [His Doubt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/his-doubt) The husband, Charlie, a clerk earning fifty dollars per month, who misinterprets his wife's sentimental speech about their baby as a plan to buy a piano. ### [The Dissipated Jeweler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-dissipated-jeweler) Not present in this chapter. ### [By Courier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/by-courier) The tall young man who sends a message via the boy, claiming he is on his way to San Francisco and an Alaska moose-hunting expedition. ### [The Struggle of the Outliers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-struggle-of-the-outliers) Not present; no match found in excerpts. ### [The Cactus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-cactus) Trysdale's friend, the brother of the bride, who complains about drinking alone and mentions the cactus's name. ### [Hearts and Hands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/hearts-and-hands) Referred to as Mr. Easton, he is the handsome young man handcuffed to the glum-faced man, initially mistaken for a marshal. ### [One Dollar's Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/one-dollar-s-worth) Referred to as Bob Littlefield, the district attorney who is engaged to Nancy Derwent and targeted by Mexico Sam. ### [The Marquis and Miss Sally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-marquis-and-miss-sally) Andy Donovan is not featured in this chapter. ### [The Ferry of Unfulfilment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-ferry-of-unfulfilment) The Man from Nome is identified as Henry Blayden, a gold miner from Nome who follows the girl onto the ferry. ### [New York by Camp Fire Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/new-york-by-camp-fire-light) Not present in this chapter. ### [One Thousand Dollars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/one-thousand-dollars) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Rathskeller and the Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-rathskeller-and-the-rose) Not present in this chapter. ### [Squaring the Circle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/squaring-the-circle) Cal Harkness, the last Harkness, works as an express wagon driver in New York and is the target of Sam's vengeance. ### [The Ransom of Mack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-ransom-of-mack) The narrator and Mack's friend; he tries to save Mack from a hasty marriage by bribing the bride-to-be and her true love. ### [The Making of a New Yorker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-making-of-a-new-yorker) Not present in this chapter. ### [Mammon and the Archer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/mammon-and-the-archer) Mentioned in the context of the traffic jam orchestrated by Kelly. ### [Hostages to Momus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/hostages-to-momus) Involved in the group's activities and the hush-money joke. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/iv) Referred to as Major Tucker, he is the general passenger agent who brings the ransom. ### [An Adjustment of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-adjustment-of-nature) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Lost Blend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-lost-blend) Con Lantry is the central character, a bartender who is shy around women and in love with Katherine. ### [An Unfinished Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-unfinished-story) Piggy, the wealthy man who invites Dulcie to dinner; he is described as a 'spender' who takes girls to swell places. ### [The Guilty Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-guilty-party) Referenced as 'Kid Mullaly' in the chapter; he is the fiancé of Liz and plans to take Annie Karlson to the dance. ### [Elsie in New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/elsie-in-new-york) The burly cop who intervenes when Hank Ross approaches Elsie, mistaking his honest intentions for harassment. ### [The Thing's the Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-thing-s-the-play) John Delaney, the best man who attacked Frank out of jealousy, later returns as a mysterious lodger seeking Helen's forgiveness. ### [The Handbook of Hymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-handbook-of-hymen) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Trimmed Lamp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-trimmed-lamp) Dan is Lou's steady companion, described as faithful, genial, and ready-made in his wit and attire. He wants to marry Lou, but she values her independence. ### [Calloway's Code](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/calloway-s-code) Not directly present; the story focuses on the Enterprise staff. ### [The Country of Elusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-country-of-elusion) Kappelman, a painter, is present at the dinner and engages in antics like waltzing with a waiter. ### [Proof of the Pudding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/proof-of-the-pudding) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Octopus Marooned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-octopus-marooned) Jeff's partner; takes a drink and becomes an orator, delivering a temperance speech that ruins their business. ### [Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/jeff-peters-as-a-personal-magnet) Referred to as Andy Tucker; Jeff's old acquaintance and partner in the scheme to swindle the mayor. ### [Modern Rural Sports](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/modern-rural-sports) Jeff's partner; successfully swindles Farmer Plunkett using a shell game. ### [The Chair of Philanthromathematics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-chair-of-philanthromathematics) Co-founder of the World's University; lectures on irrigation and modern music; reveals the faro dealer as Professor McCorkle. ### [The Hand That Riles the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-hand-that-riles-the-world) Jeff's partner in the scheme; initially optimistic about Mrs. Avery's abilities, but ultimately shares in the disappointment. ### [The Exact Science of Matrimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-exact-science-of-matrimony) Jeff's partner in the scheme; initially skeptical about involving a real widow, but agrees to let Mrs. Trotter keep the $2,000. ### [A Midsummer Masquerade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-midsummer-masquerade) Jeff's partner; he drunkenly plays both the Duke of Marlborough and Lieutenant Peary, ruining the masquerade. ### [Shearing the Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/shearing-the-wolf) Jeff's partner, who initially agrees to help Murkison but later questions Jeff's ethics. ### [Innocents of Broadway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/innocents-of-broadway) Jeff's partner who suggests using poker as a way to legitimately earn the money. ### [Conscience in Art](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/conscience-in-art) Jeff's partner; devises the fraudulent scheme involving the ivory carving, showing his imaginative and unscrupulous nature. ### [The Discounters of Money](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-discounters-of-money) Referenced indirectly as 'Howard Pilkins', the millionaire who believes money can buy anything. ### [The Higher Pragmatism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-higher-pragmatism) Involved in the story's events, contributing to the pragmatic discourse. ### [No Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/no-story) Not present in this chapter. ### [A Poor Rule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-poor-rule) Not present in this chapter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/andy_donovan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters