The Gentle Grafter

The Gentle Grafter (1907) is a collection of fourteen short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and prisoner, these tales follow the escapades of two professional con artists whose humor and storytelling ability illuminate the nature of wealth and crime in early twentieth century America. In “Modern Rural Sports,” con-man Jeff Peters recalls a job in a rural Western town where, in need of money, he devised a plan with his friend Andy Tucker to stea...