The narrative begins in the impoverished hills of East Tennessee, where Squire Hawkins dreams of a vast, barren land tract that will one day yield immense wealth for his family. Moved by false hope and the grandiose schemes of his relative Beriah Sellers, Hawkins migrates westward, only to face continuous hardship and failure. Along the way, the family adopts orphans, including the brilliant and fiercely proud Laura, whose tragic trajectory forms the emotional core of the novel. As the characters drift toward Washington and the burgeoning commercial centers, the pursuit of unearned wealth warps their integrity.
Washington Hawkins falls into a cycle of endless inventions and waiting, while Laura rises as a Washington belle, only to be consumed by her own ambition and the betrayal of a secret husband. The novel cuts a wide swathe through society, exposing the rampant bribery of legislators, the reckless speculation of railroads, and the empty promises of instant riches. Through characters like Colonel Sellers, whose absolute optimism survives every financial ruin, the authors paint a vivid portrait of an age driven by greed. Ultimately, the grand schemes collapse, fortunes vanish, and the characters are left to confront the bleak reality of their hollow pursuits. The story serves as a timeless warning against the worship of money, showing how the illusion of success corrodes the American soul.
