A Millionaire of Rough-And-Ready
1887
Set in the mining town of Rough and Ready during California's gold rush, this is the story of Alvin Mulrady, a humble gardener whose life changes forever when he strikes rich pay dirt in a mining shaft. What begins as a dream of wealth quickly becomes a burden as Mulrady grapples with what his sudden fortune means for his family, his relationships, and his sense of self. Should he send for his wife and children? Can old friends trust him now that he's wealthy? The gold that promised liberation threatens to become a cage of new expectations. Bret Harte, the master of American frontier literature, paints a nuanced portrait of a man caught between the thrill of possibility and the weight of responsibility, capturing the raw, unpredictable spirit of a lawless land where fortunes rise and fall with dizzying speed.
