Balaam and His Master, and Other Sketches and Stories

In this lively anthology, the first tale transports listeners to Billville, a tiny Georgian settlement where every man—except one—shares the name Bill. The community springs up around the charismatic pioneer William Cozart, whose energy and generosity turn a modest camp into a thriving town. As the Cozart family becomes the social and economic backbone, the story captures the humor and hardships of frontier life with a warm, observant voice.

The narrative then shifts to Berrien Cozart, the strikingly handsome but headstrong grandson of the town’s founder. His good looks mask a stubborn will that defies every authority, yet he remains oddly attached to Balaam, a clever enslaved boy who holds a quiet sway over him. Their uneasy partnership hints at deeper questions of power, loyalty, and the unexpected ways fate shapes a community.