David Harum

"David Harum : A Story of American Life" is a celebrated work of American regional fiction that captures the spirit and humor of late nineteenth-century rural New York. Centered on the unforgettable character of David Harum-a shrewd, sharp-tongued, yet ultimately kind-hearted small-town banker and horse trader-the novel offers a vivid portrait of life in the fictional village of Homeville. Through a series of anecdotal episodes and Harum's own distinctive vernacular, Edward Noyes Westcott explores the intricacies of human nature, financial morality, and the art of the deal.

The narrative follows the arrival of John Lenox, a sophisticated young man from New York City who becomes Harum's assistant. As Lenox navigates the social dynamics of the country and learns the nuances of his employer's philosophy, the book unfolds as both a touching character study and a humorous commentary on American values. Famous for Harum's famous "Golden Rule" of horse trading-"Do unto the other fellow the way he'd like to do unto you, and do it fust"-the work remains a landmark of the local color movement. "David Harum : A Story of American Life" continues to be valued for its authentic dialogue, its nostalgic depiction of a bygone era, and its enduring portrayal of a quintessential American folk hero.

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