Edward Noyes Westcott (1846–1898)

Originally written and published in 1898, this is considered a bit of a character study of a country banker/horse trader in the rural area of Central New York.

David Harum's version of the Golden Rule -- "Do unto the other feller the way he'd like to do unto you, an' do it fust." is his main motivator. Getting up in years, he feels he needs someone to assist him in his country bank, but wants it to be someone who is not familiar with the locals or his way of business. He sends a letter to a lawyer friend asking for a recommendation of someone.

John Lennox is of a good family, is well educated and travelled. While returning from a few years of touring Europe, he meets up with a young lady, Mary Blake, he had slightly known in the past. They find that they are mutually attracted to each other and continue seeing each other after returning home. Mary lives with her sister and husband and travels with them frequently. When the sister and husband decide to go on another trip there is a lapse in communication and John feels that Mary no longer wants to see him.

After returning home, John takes a position with a law firm, but finds that he isn't really interested in the field. When his father suddenly passes away he now finds that he must work to support himself. At this crossroad of dissatisfaction with the law and need to work, he is told of the position with David Harum in Homeville. Thinking he has nothing to lose he takes it.

It is a major change in living conditions, social situations and learning, but he is determined to ride it out. As time goes on he grows in many ways under the tutelage of David Harum and becomes more confident and understanding about dealing with people. There is also a bond that develops between the two men as a father and son one.

Written in dialect, it can be a bit difficult to read, but once you settle in it adds to the time and place and character of the people. An enjoyable read at an easy pace.

A little more info, this book did not publish until the author has died. It was later made into a movie in 1934 with Will Rogers as David Harum.… (mais)

Westcott was an Amer. banker and writer b. 1846, d. 1898. He is most famous for the romantic novel, "David Harum". The plot contains vivid character studies but is otherwise a pedestrian love story in which a boy and girl fall in love and are separated through a misunderstanding. All is made right in the end and the are happily married. The title character is a crusty country banker with a kindly heart. Harum gives young John Lenox a job as a bank clerk and the story takes off from there. Harum's folksy wisdom and adages, colorful anecdotes, and love of horse-trading make for delightful reading.… (mais)