# Johnny Atwood — Short Fiction character guide > Johnny Atwood in Short Fiction by O. Henry. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Johnny, Atwood, Jack **First appearance:** 0000-lord-oakhurst-s-curse ## Snapshot Johnny Atwood, a highborn young man whose fortunes turn on a single reckless ride, flees toward the Gulf with a roan horse and a boy's dream of the sea. ## Who they are Johnny Atwood — the Kid — rides northeast through the brush country with a pearl-handled .45 tucked under his arm and a boyish face hardened by experience. He knows the trails, the camps, and the lonesome ranches where a man on the run can find safe entertainment, and he bears east because the Kid has never seen the ocean. His cold blue eyes and quiet dignity mark him as someone whose past is heavier than his years, and the shore at Corpus Christi is where that past will finally catch up. ## Relationships ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Johnny Atwood is a close companion of the narrator, often involved in shared adventures or mutual support. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Johnny Atwood is a close companion of the narrator, often involved in shared adventures or mutual support. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _friendship_ Johnny Atwood is a close companion of the narrator, often involved in shared adventures or mutual support. ## In the story ### [A Strange Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-strange-story) John Smothers, the father who disappears and later returns. ### [Three Paragraphs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/three-paragraphs) The woman's husband, Jack, mentioned in her feverish memories and final moments. ### [The Lotus and the Cockleburrs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-lotus-and-the-cockleburrs) Protagonist who manipulates the shoe market and marries Rosine Hemstetter. ### [Cupid's Exile Number Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/cupid-s-exile-number-two) Newly appointed U.S. consul to Coralio, fleeing a broken heart from Dalesburg. He is lazy, charming, and befriends Keogh. ### [The Shamrock and the Palm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-shamrock-and-the-palm) Lying on the grass in Carib undress, commenting on the heat and listening to Clancy. ### [Shoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/shoes) The U.S. consul in Coralio, indulging in lotus-eating and brandy, still pining for Rosine Hemstetter. ### [Ships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/ships) Consul who plants cockleburrs to boost shoe sales, confesses to his fiancée and Mr. Hemstetter, then resigns to return home. ### [A Ghost of a Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-ghost-of-a-chance) Mentioned as Terence, Mrs. Kinsolving's son, who interacts with Mrs. Bellmore. ### [The Marquis and Miss Sally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-marquis-and-miss-sally) Johnny Atwood is not directly mentioned in this chapter; however, the superintendent of the Diamond-Cross ranch is a key figure who hires the two men and later promotes the cook. ### [The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-atavism-of-john-tom-little-bear) Referred to as John Tom Little Bear, an educated Cherokee Indian and Jeff's partner in the medicine show. ### [The Pendulum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-pendulum) John Perkins is the protagonist; his internal monologue and actions drive the chapter. ### [A Newspaper Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-newspaper-story) A small boy who receives the newspaper from Policeman O'Brine and takes it home, where his sister Gladys uses it. ### [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. ### [A Matter of Mean Elevation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-matter-of-mean-elevation) Referred to as John Armstrong, the American trader who rescues Mlle. Giraud from the Carabobo Indians. ### [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. ### [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. ### [Hostages to Momus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/hostages-to-momus) Part of the group involved in the practical joke on the alderman. ### [An Adjustment of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-adjustment-of-nature) Not present in this chapter. ### [The Skylight Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-skylight-room) Mr. Skidder, a playwright who lives on the third floor and is inspired by Miss Leeson. ### [The Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-duel) Jack, an artist who resists the city's influence, condemns New York as a leech and a monster, and longs for the pure and open heart of the West. ### [The Handbook of Hymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-handbook-of-hymen) Not present in this chapter. ### [Sociology in Serge and Straw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/sociology-in-serge-and-straw) 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. ### [Proof of the Pudding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/proof-of-the-pudding) Not present in this chapter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/i) John A. Pescud, a traveling salesman for a plate-glass company, is an old acquaintance of the narrator. He is described as small, with a wide smile, and holds strong beliefs about his work and hometown. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/iv) John Pescud, who married Jessie and built a house in the East End; he gets off at Coketown to find petunias for his wife. ### [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. ### [Let Me Feel Your Pulse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/let-me-feel-your-pulse) Referred to as 'John,' the narrator's relative who hosts him at his country home in the Blue Ridge Mountains and tries to divert his mind with farm life. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/johnny_atwood - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters