The She Boss: A Western Story

"The She Boss: A Western Story" by Arthur Preston Hankins is a tale that unfolds in early 1900s California, focusing on the adventures of Hiram Hooker, a young man venturing out of his quiet life in Bear Valley. The story looks at themes of ambition, social class, and growing up as Hiram seeks to find his purpose in the world. The story suggests Hiram's battles with who he is and what he wants, along with his relationship with the interesting Lucy Dalles. At the start of the story, Uncle Sebastian Burris challenges Hiram about his reputation for laziness, pushing him to leave Bear Valley for a new start in San Francisco. Initially reluctant, Hiram understands he must act to use his potential. Following some emotional reflection, he accepts his uncle's tough love and begins his trip to the city, discovering new experiences, an exciting society, and Lucy, a local girl with her own dreams. This beginning prepares Hiram to change from a comfortable, but boring circumstance, to one filled with chance and self-discovery.