They had all known him as a shiftless, worthless creature. From the time he first entered Redwood Camp, carrying his entire effects in a red handkerchief on the end of a long-handled shovel, until he lazily drifted out of it on a plank in the terrible inundation of '56, they never expected anything better of him. In a community of strong men with sullen virtues and charmingly fascinating vices, he was tolerated as possessing neither—not even rising by any dominant human weakness or ludicrous quality to the importance of a butt. In the dramatis personae of Redwood Camp he was a simple "super"—who had only passive, speechless roles in those fierce dramas that were sometimes unrolled beneath its green-curtained pines.

Wherefore this book of fiction by Californian writers? And why its appeal otherwise than that of obvious esthetic and literary qualities? They who read what follows will know. The fund, which the sale of this book is purposed to aid, was planned by The Spinners soon after the eighteenth of April, 1906, and was started with two hundred dollars from their treasury. To this, Mrs. Gertrude Atherton added another two hundred dollars. Several women's clubs and private individuals also generously responded, so that now there is a thousand dollars to the credit of the fund. A bond has been bought and the interest from it will be paid to Ina D. Coolbrith, the poet, and first chosen beneficiary of the fund. The Spinners feel assured that this book will meet with such a ready sale as to make possible the purchase of several bonds, and so render the accruing interest a steady source of aid to Miss. Coolbrith. All who have read and fallen under the charm of her "Songs from the Golden Gate," or felt the beauty and tenderness of the verses "When the Grass Shall Cover Me," will, without question, unite in making "assurance doubly sure" to such end. From the days of the old Overland Monthly, when she worked side by side with Bret Harte and Charles Warren Stoddard, to the present moment, Miss. Coolbrith's name has formed a part of the literary history of San Francisco. The eighteenth of April, 1906, and the night which followed it, left her bereft of all literary, and other, treasures; but her poem bearing the refrain, "Lost city of my love and my desire," rings with the old genius, and expresses the feeling of many made desolate by the destruction of the city which held their most cherished memories. When Miss. Coolbrith shall no longer need to be a beneficiary of the fund, it is intended that it shall serve to aid some other writer, artist or musician whose fortunes are at the ebb. To the writers, artists and publishers who have so heartily and generously made this book possible, The Spinners return unmeasured thanks. San Francisco, June 22, 1907.

This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

Silver and Gold - A Story of Luck and Love in a Western Mining Camp is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Dane Coolidge is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of Dane Coolidge then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.

Out of the Depths - A Romance of Reclamation is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Robert Ames Bennet is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of Robert Ames Bennet then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.

Gertrude Atherton was a well known American novelist in the early 20th century, and many of her novels depict life in California during the time period. Her best known work, Black Oxen, is still widely read today.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Eugene Manlove Rhodes was a writer who was nicknamed the "cowboy chronicler". Most of his works were published in newspapers and magazines before they were published individually.

"Just why my father moved, at the close of the civil war, from Georgia to Texas, is to this good hour a mystery to me. While we did not exactly belong to the poor whites, we classed with them in poverty, being renters; but I am inclined to think my parents were intellectually superior to that common type of the South. Both were foreign born, my mother being Scotch and my father a north of Ireland man, - as I remember him, now, impulsive, hasty in action, and slow to confess a fault. It was his impulsiveness that led him to volunteer and serve four years in the Confederate army." This book has a beautiful glossy cover and a blank page for the dedication.

May 16th, 1869 My name is Taran Collins. I take pen to paper to let anyone who follows after me a warning. If you come after me you can expect trouble. I don’t know of what kind per se, but……..well let’s just leave it at that. You’ve been warned. Regards, Taran CollinsP.S. I’m not coming back. That much I am sure of. My story isn’t an easy one, but my hope is that my fortune will change.May 16th, 1869 My name is Taran Collins. I take pen to paper to let anyone who follows after me a warning. If you come after me you can expect trouble. I don’t know of what kind per se, but……..well let’s just leave it at that. You’ve been warned. Regards, Taran CollinsP.S. I’m not coming back. That much I am sure of. My story isn’t an easy one, but my hope is that my fortune will change, Godwilling.The town of Orlaca wasn’t a thriving place. Situated at the base of a mountain in the northern region of Arizona it didn’t have much going for it other than scenic views and the wistful dreams of the few who called it home. Built as a boom town before the Civil War by those in search of gold, it later lost its luster when gold became hard to find. Unknown to the latest people to come to this remote stretch of land was that of the oral history of the Native Americans, who’d called it home for far longer. To them it was a sacred land. A place where wind and fire met and became one. Fire Wind is the beginning of a series of western sci-fi novels that feature adventure, action, and faith. Christian Speculative Fiction – learn to love it!EXCERPT:“What is crypto zoology?” I asked dumbly.Edgar waved his hand through the air and said, “It’s just a fancy name for looking for dead or extinct animals that one may think still have some members surviving to the present day.”“Oh I see.” I said, although I didn’t.A speculative gleam came into the man’s eyes, “What’s even more fascinating is that you are the first survivor of such a snake attack that I am aware of. Most people die within seconds.”I shrugged at the open question for answers that I saw in his eyes.“Yes, as I was saying from my analysis of this snake’s venom I have determined that its impact on the body unlike that of the venom of a rattlesnake is that of a paralysis of the nervous system rather than a poisoning of the blood.”“What you’re talking about is Greek to me.” I said shaking my head.My response seemed to garner even more interest on the doctor’s part, “Greek you say? You must be a well-traveled man and an educated one at that to know of the land of Greece.”“It’s just an expression.” I said looking away from him.“That may be. Tell me stranger, your people, extended family I mean by that, would they happen to hail from the Appalachian Mountains in the East?”Looking the man over closely I said, “They would. Why do you ask?”Edgar retreated from his interested verbal probing by saying, “Just a hunch given your last name.”“What about my last name?”Edgar had gotten up and opened the door to the jailhouse. Holding it open he gestured to the outside, “What say you to getting a bit of fresh air and something to eat?”I didn’t like him not answering my question, but the mention of food overwhelmed everything else. I got to my feet and headed for the door.Passing through it we began to make our way down the upraised boardwalk. A sudden sensation of nakedness had me feeling at my side for my gun.“It’s back at the jail. Do you need it?”“No, I’ll be fine.” I said, but the truth was I felt naked without it.

Dane Coolidge was a 20th century American author best known for producing Western books, including this one. Many of his titles are still popular and widely read today.

William Macleod Raine was a British-born American writer of Wild West fiction. Raine’s stories of adventure during the famous, action-packed era of American history are still popular today.

Wolf Breed (First published 1916) By Jackson Gregory It was mid June and time for Père Marquette to appear on the narrow street, tack up his message and return to the private room behind his store to kiss Mère Jeanne awake and inform her that -- with much wine and music -- their new year would begin. But because stronger drink, men's drink, had appeared that day too, a game of poker was running in one corner of a room. Six men were shaking dice and wagering recklessly; a little fellow with a wooden leg and scarred face was drawing shrieking rag time from an old and asthmatic accordion. It was on that evening when the door was flung open and a stranger stood, framed against the outside night. A score of eyes, going to him swiftly, studied him with curiosity.

Faro Nell and Her Friends - Wolfville Stories is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Alfred Henry Lewis is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of Alfred Henry Lewis then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.