This book is a collection of short stories penned by Bret Harte. He was an American short story writer and poet best remembered for short fiction featuring miners, gamblers, and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush; including in this book. There are eight tales in total featured inside the following body of work, such as 'How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar', 'Mr. Thompson's Prodigal', and 'The Romance of Madrono Hollow'.