A Millionaire of Rough-and-Ready

"A Millionaire of Rough-and-Ready" by Bret Harte is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story is set during the California gold rush and follows the experiences of Alvin Mulrady, a humble gardener who unexpectedly strikes gold in a mining shaft. This newfound fortune creates a mix of excitement and anxiety for him as he grapples with the implications of wealth and the responsibilities that come with it. The opening of the novel introduces us to Mulrady’s life-changing discovery of gold, which he initially contemplates with disbelief and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. As he struggles to process this shift in his financial circumstances, he encounters his neighbor, Masters, who is eager to leave the mining life behind. Mulrady's joy is quickly overshadowed by worries about how this newfound wealth will affect his family dynamics and relationships with old friends, particularly as he considers sending for his wife and children. The narrative portrays the internal conflict of a man caught between the thrill of his discovery and the burdens it brings, setting the stage for his evolution as a character faced with societal expectations and personal aspirations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Bret Harte was an American short story writer and poet best remembered for short fiction featuring miners, gamblers, and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush. In a career spanning more than four decades, he also wrote poetry, plays, lectures, book reviews, editorials, and magazine sketches.