# Jeff Peters — Short Fiction character guide > Jeff Peters in Short Fiction by O. Henry. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jeff, Peters, Jefferson D. Peters, old Jeff, One-eyed Peters **First appearance:** 0000-lord-oakhurst-s-curse ## Snapshot A silver-tongued con man who narrates his own graft with the cheerful shamelessness of a man who considers trickery a trade. ## Who they are Jeff Peters is the brain west of the Wabash who runs unillegal graft, preferring honest partners and honest victims he can reduce of surplus cash. In one scheme he tries to soften his weeping wife Clara with endearments to extract a dollar, only to find spring and reconciliation working against him. He matters because his voice—wry, self-aware, endlessly inventive—carries the reader through his schemes and their inevitable, comic reversals. ## Relationships ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Jeff Peters is a close friend and occasional partner in schemes, sharing a bond of mutual trust and humor. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Jeff Peters is a close friend and occasional partner in schemes, sharing a bond of mutual trust and humor. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Jeff Peters is a close friend and occasional partner in schemes, sharing a bond of mutual trust and humor. ## In the story ### [Solemn Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/solemn-thoughts) The Chicago hardware drummer who wishes for French Pete's restaurant. ### [An Opportunity Declined](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-opportunity-declined) The stranger posing as a railroad engineer attempting to con the farmer. ### [The Dissipated Jeweler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-dissipated-jeweler) Not present in this chapter. ### [Cupid à la Carte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/cupid-la-carte) Narrator and protagonist who falls for Mame Dugan and devises a plan to win her affection. ### [Out of Nazareth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/out-of-nazareth) J. Pinkney Bloom is a variant of Jeff Peters, a recurring O. Henry character known for his schemes and occasional moral awakenings. ### [The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-atavism-of-john-tom-little-bear) Narrator and business manager of the medicine show, recounts the story to the unknown narrator. ### [The Fourth in Salvador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-fourth-in-salvador) Mentioned as Jerry, the cook who prepares the barbecue and is wounded during the skirmish. ### [The Hypotheses of Failure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-hypotheses-of-failure) The breezy client who offers to pay for Mrs. Billings' divorce, revealed to be Henry K. Jessup. ### [A Madison Square Arabian Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-madison-square-arabian-night) 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. ### [A Tempered Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-tempered-wind) Narrator and partner in the Golconda scheme; decides with Buck to return investors' money. ### [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. ### [A Sacrifice Hit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-sacrifice-hit) Not present in this chapter. ### [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. ### [Babes in the Jungle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/babes-in-the-jungle) Referenced as Montague Silver, the street man and art grafter who advises moving to New York. ### [The Girl and the Graft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-girl-and-the-graft) Jeff Peters is the alias used for Ferguson Pogue in this story, who recounts the scheme. ### [An Adjustment of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-adjustment-of-nature) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Buyer from Cactus City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-buyer-from-cactus-city) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Handbook of Hymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-handbook-of-hymen) Not present in this chapter. ### [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 Ethics of Pig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-ethics-of-pig) The narrator and protagonist, a 'reducer of surplusage' who seeks an honest partner for his graft operations. ### [Seats of the Haughty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/seats-of-the-haughty) Jeff Peters is the narrator of this story, recounting his experiences with a wealthy Texan named Solly and his own past in Atascosa City. ### [The Man Higher Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-man-higher-up) Narrator and protagonist; a confidence man who prides himself on trade and commerce over labor. ### [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) Narrator and partner in the trust scheme; observes Andy's transformation after drinking. ### [Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/jeff-peters-as-a-personal-magnet) Narrator and protagonist; a traveling medicine man selling Resurrection Bitters under the alias Dr. Waugh-hoo. ### [Modern Rural Sports](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/modern-rural-sports) Narrator of the story; a con man who tries and fails to swindle Farmer Plunkett. ### [The Chair of Philanthromathematics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-chair-of-philanthromathematics) Narrator and co-founder of the World's University; recounts the philanthropic scheme. ### [The Hand That Riles the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-hand-that-riles-the-world) Narrates the story of the failed lobbying scheme for Bill Humble; skeptical of women's abilities in business and politics. ### [The Exact Science of Matrimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-exact-science-of-matrimony) Narrator and co-conspirator in the matrimonial agency scheme; he recruits Mrs. Trotter and handles correspondence. ### [A Midsummer Masquerade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-midsummer-masquerade) Narrator and con artist who, with Andy Tucker, impersonates a famous explorer at the Woodchuck Inn. ### [Shearing the Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/shearing-the-wolf) Narrator and moralizing con artist who orchestrates the shearing of Murkison. ### [Innocents of Broadway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/innocents-of-broadway) Narrator and protagonist who struggles with the ethics of taking the cigar man's money without providing a fair exchange. ### [Conscience in Art](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/conscience-in-art) Narrator of the story; expresses a preference for legitimate swindling and a conscience that requires giving something tangible for money. ### [The Hiding of Black Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-hiding-of-black-bill) The red-faced man named Ham, who tells the story of his encounter with Black Bill. ### [Supply and Demand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/supply-and-demand) Jeff Peters (W. D.) narrates the tale of selling goods to the Peche Indians and confronting King Shane's hoarding of gold-dust. ### [The Higher Pragmatism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-higher-pragmatism) Appears as a central figure in the narrative, embodying pragmatic philosophy. ### [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/jeff_peters - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters