Tales of Trail and Town

Description of the book

'Tales of Trail and Town' is a novella written by Bret Harte. The book begins by describing the transformation of the mining camp of Rough and Ready after the discovery of the "Eureka" lead. With the influx of gamblers and saloon-keepers, the camp became more civilized with the building of a church and a school, but also more wicked with the introduction of borrowing, credit, and gambling. Eventually, the camp was renamed Atherly after Peter Atherly, the owner of the Eureka mine, who had given money to the town for waterworks and a hotel. However, the aristocratic title "Atherly of Atherly" suggested by the pastor's daughter was opposed for its possible infringement upon democratic principles.