Stories of a Western Town

• Stories of a Western Town. New York: Charles Scriber's Sons, 1893.
• Thanet wrote to Robert Bridges, a book critic and columnist that: "It is simply that an article written by you in "Life," last year or earlier was their inspiration. This article mentioned how rare it was that any novelist took for a hero 'a good citizen,' a man who simply without any noise and quite as a matter of course, is doing his best for his community and his country. . . . I have in Harry Lossing tried to draw just such a good citizen" (reprinted in McMichael, p. 130). That this book is, indeed, a character study of Harry Lossing, is clear. There isn't a lot of plot or commentary overall (although in "Harry Lossing" there is a bit of political/labour union talk, and in "Face of Failure" there's some discussion of socialism and the occult).
• McMichael notes this was the first collection she published with a company other than Houghton Mifflin (p. 131).
• Horrace Scudder reviewed it and referred to Thanet as "a reporter of life. . .rather than an artist" (reprinted in McMichael, p. 131).
• Theodore Roosevelt "included her Stories of a Western Town in the 'pigskin library' he had taken on his African safari. Bound in protective pigskin, her short stories had been carried in Roosevelt's saddle bags, sharing a place with works by Darwin, Cervantes, Montaigne, Goethe, and Dumas" (McMichael, pp. 191-192).

Individual Story Notes:

• "The Besetment of Kurt Leiders" Originally appeared in Scribner's Magazine, XII (August 1892), pp. 135-147. Kurt Leiders is an old craftsman who works in the furniture manufacturing facility owned by the Lossings. He has a falling out with Harry about how to carve a piece and gets fired. He attempts suicide multiple times, but is ultimately saved when his wife goes to Lossing and explains how much the job means to him. He hires Kurt back and he is reformed.
• "The Face of Failure"  Originally appeared in Scribner's Magazine, XII (September 1892), pp. 146-150. Nelson, a widower, has taken in two children and is in danger of losing everything he has because his mortgage is due. He lent the money to another man who hasn't paid him back. He meets Alma Brown who tells of how she has been working since she was twelve, but through the support of mentors like Lossing, she's made something of herself. Of course, she turns out to be the mortgage holder, and they work out a deal. 
• "Tommy and Thomas"  Originally appeared in Scribner's Magazine, XII (October 1892), pp. 446-62-147. Tommy Fitzmorris is a school chum of Harry's who grows up to be a famous ward politician. The story is largely told from the perspective (3rd person universal) of a former teacher who helped him with public speaking when he was in school. She notes that he is still a stand-up guy and that he still claims his Irish parents (his father used to own and run a pub). Harry and Tommy have stayed in contact and it is clear that part of Tommy's success is related to that connection.
• "Mother Emeritus"  Originally appeared in Scribner's Magazine, XII (November 1892), pp. 628-38. A cute story about a Tilly Louder who wants to move her mother out of their old apartment so she can get some rest; Mother Louder is so connected to her neighborhood, having lived there for 30 odd years, that everyone comes to her for whatever they need. In the end, the young Miss Louder decides to renovate the apartment so her mother can stay. She decides this after having a conversation with Alma Brown and Harry Lossing. harry points out on page 161 that work is what keeps Mrs. Louder going.
• "An Assisted Providence"  Originally appeared in Scribner's Magazine, XII (December 1892), pp. 684-91. Harry hears a sermon and intends to donate ten dollars, but reaches in the wrong pocket and donates the $200 he was saving to get a new puppy. He doesn't ask for the money back, as the man thanks him so profusely and tells him the money will go to honor his dead wife with memorial stained glass windows in the church.
• "Harry Lossing"  Originally appeared in Scribner's Magazine, XII (February 1893), pp. 208-23. Harry is the mayor and wants to marry Esther. When he meets her father, he tries to pressure Harry into passing an ordinance he knows Harry won't (to have conductor-less streetcars). Harry stands on principle and refuses. He tells Esther he loves her and it all works out in the end. Her father comes to like Harry, despite their differences in political points of view.
• My highlights.