Colonel Starbottle's Client

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harte, Bret, 1836-1902

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Colonel Starbottle's Client" by Bret Harte is a novella written in the late 19th century. This narrative offers a glimpse into the life of Colonel Starbottle, a flamboyant attorney in a small California town, as he navigates a complex case involving his client, Jo Corbin, who reveals a dark past and an internal struggle between guilt and responsibility following the killing of his former partner. The storyline sets the stage for a blend of humor, wit, and commentary on morality amidst the backdrop of frontier justice. The opening of the novella introduces Colonel Starbottle and establishes his boisterous personality as he ceaselessly engages in the legal profession after his political campaigns. His encounter with Jo Corbin, a discontented and guilt-ridden man, reveals the gravity of Corbin's situation-the guilt from a fatal altercation with his partner. As the Colonel listens to Corbin's tale of remorse and intention to provide financial support to his victim's family, he becomes embroiled in a moral dilemma that impacts both men. The Colonel's witty demeanor contrasts with the serious undertone of their conversation, setting up a dynamic exploration of themes like guilt and atonement while hinting at the deeper emotional entanglements that both characters undergo as the story progresses. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Colonel Starbottle's client

The postmistress of Laurel Run

A night at "Hays"

Johnson's "old woman"

The new assistant at Pine Clearing school

In a pioneer restaurant

A treasure of the galleon

Out of a pioneer's trunk

The ghosts of Stukeley castle

Credits:

Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 68.7 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2006-03-27