The Cherokee Trail
By Louis L’Amour
The ravages of the Civil hit a family hard by wiping out their home in the East then the killing of the husband after they are in the West. This western story happened in several ways over and over again before and after the Civil War. The families of good people and bad flooded west and were bounced off of each other in the large country that was small because of few people. Everyone knew about the lives and events through out the countryside so your actions and history were hard to hide.
The story is about how hard work and a willingness to survive. The desire to prosper can give both men and women the opportunity to make a life that will sustain in time and place. Mrs. M.O. Breydon, an eastern lady, raised on a Virginia plantation that is destroyed in the beginning of the war comes west to make a living. Her husband is shot and killed by another mover heading west that is afraid his past will be spoken about. The complications of the plot evolve around good verse shadowed evil making an interesting story line.
Running a stage stop is no easy thing for anyone let alone an eastern lady. She takes the bit in her mouth and uses her will and strength of character to make her stage stop on the Cherokee Trail the brightest and best stop on the line. She assembles a cast of real life people of the time with similar character traits and desires to be successful in her search for the best stage station. With all things in place the story moves in the direction of a successful finally for all parties.
This is a western story that should be read by both men and women. The author one of my favorites continues to brighten and expand my days. This is a must read.
