Snow-Bound at Eagle's

Snow-Bound at Eagle's by Bret Harte is set in the rugged American West, where a group of travelers finds themselves snowbound at a remote mountain inn. The story revolves around the interactions of these characters, highlighting their different backgrounds and personalities as they are forced into close quarters by the harsh weather. Harte, known for his depictions of frontier life, uses the setting to explore themes of human resilience, camaraderie, and the tensions that arise in such confined and challenging circumstances. The story combines Harte's signature humor with moments of drama and insight into human nature.
Bret Harte (1836-1902) was a 19th century writer most famous for his contributions to western literature. When his widowed mother moved their family to California in 1854, he found work as a miner, messenger, printer, and journalist, working with such luminaries as Mark Twain, Charles Warren Stoddard, Prentice Mulford. He came into his own as a writer, however, with "The Luck of Roaring Camp" published in the Overland Monthly (which he also edited). As his fame spread, he continued writing about the American West. In 1871 he moved back east and pursued a political career as well as continuing to write fiction and poetry. In 1878 he was appointed United States Counsul at Crefeld, Germany. He was transferred to Scotland in 1880. He died in Camberely, England on May 6, 1902.

Bret Harte was an American writer and poet, renowned for his short stories about the California Gold Rush, often featuring miners, gamblers, and other colorful figures of the time. His literary career spanned more than forty years, during which he produced not only short stories but also poetry, plays, book reviews, editorials, and magazine sketches. Born on August 25, 1836, in Albany, New York, he was the son of Elizabeth Ostrander and Henry Harte. Harte's works helped shape American literature, particularly through his vivid portrayal of life during the Gold Rush era. In 1862, he married Anna Griswold, and together they had four children: Griswold, Ethel, Francis King, and Jessamy. Harte's writing brought him widespread recognition, though he spent much of his later life in Europe. He passed away on May 5, 1902, in London at the age of 65. Known for his ability to capture the spirit of the American West, his legacy continues to influence writers exploring the complexities of the frontier experience.