A Novel of Today
"It is a time when one's spirit is subdued and sad, one knows not why; when the past seems a storm-swept desolation, life a vanity and a burden, and the future but a way to death. It is a time when one is filled with vague longings; when one dreams of flight to peaceful islands in the remote solitudes of the sea, or folds his hands and says, What is the use of struggling, and toiling and worrying any more? let us give it all up." - Mark Twain, Charles Dudley Warner, The Gilded Age

In post-Civil War America, everyone wants to get rich. Si Hawkins, a member of a poor Tennessee family wants to sell some land at the right price. However, the price is never right so Si Hawkins dies. His daughter, Laura leaves her home for Washington D.C. where she tries to learn the politician's wicked schemes. In a parallel story, two upper class young men dream of speculating land prices and being filthy rich. Who will succeed and who will fail?

This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This ebook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you'll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it.

Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes