
E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Jeannie Howse,
A Novel
A seasoned businessman, once a military officer, finds himself at a crossroads as his thriving textile firm faces a decisive bargain with a powerful trust. In a tense morning meeting, he and his eager junior partner weigh the promise of wealth against the risk of surrendering years of hard‑won independence. The pressure of the deal forces the colonel to confront his own values, the legacy of his family, and the future of the Southern community he hopes to uplift.
Beyond the boardroom, the story weaves in the lives of his children, loyal servants, and a cast of townspeople each chasing their own aspirations—love, education, and a better life. As old loyalties clash with new opportunities, the colonel must decide whether to hold fast to his principles or embrace change, all while navigating personal hopes, disappointments, and the lingering shadows of a post‑war South. The novel offers a thoughtful portrait of ambition, duty, and the enduring search for purpose.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (468K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-11-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1932
A pioneering American writer, essayist, and lawyer, he brought the moral and emotional complexity of race in post-Civil War America into fiction with unusual clarity. His stories and novels still feel sharp because they look past easy labels and into the difficult choices people make across the color line.
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