Bret Harte - Tennessee's Partner

Bret Harte was born in Albany NY, and in 1854, he left and went out west which where his heart really desired to be. He had an eventful life with things such as he prospected for gold, and rode shotgun on a stagecoach for the Wells Fargo Express which was a very dangerous job. He was known as a genius at a very young age and could read well by the age of 6. These vibrant adventures were the drive and inspiration for his great writings. He quickly became a professional writer in California and in 1868 he became the first editor of “The Overland Monthly. He quickly became a well known writer and in 1871, he received $10,000 from “The Atlantic Monthly” for twelve poems and sketches and left California for Boston. After leaving California, his writing got to be repetitive so his contract was not renewed at “The Atlantic Monthly.” He began to have financial struggles so he began doing lecture tours and spent the rest of his years in England.
In his story of “Tennessee Partner”, he writes of a time in 1854 about two partners in crime. One was named Tennessee and the other was just known as Tennessee’s Partner. One day, Tennessee’s Partner decided to go find a wife. He didn’t get far before he found one. Shortly after, Tennessee seduced her and had her for himself. Tennessee’s Partner returned to Sandy Bar sad and alone. When Tennessee returned alone, his partner was to first to welcome him back.
One day, Tennessee robbed a man on his way to Red Dog. He took his knife, pistol and his money. He was later arrested and went to trial. Tennessee’s Partner was there on his behalf and instead of helping him, he only made matters worse by trying to bribe the judge. Tennessee was found guilty and taken out to Marley’s Hill and was hung. Tennessee’s Partner came with his donkey, Jenny, and a cart and took Tennessee’s body and placed him in a coffin. He then took him to his cabin and had him a funeral.
One night sometime later, Tennessee’s Partner rose up and had Jenny take him up to where Tennessee was buried. He gazes up to face his own death and as he passes over, he is greeted by his friend, Tennessee and they are once again, together.
In this story, Harte presents an old rustic story of the west that he held close to heart. Some parts of this story, the mood was depressing and almost too calm. At times, I expected a gun fight in a saloon or out in the street. But the characters personalities were shown in a much different light. Tennessee and his partner were partners in crime and partners in friendship. They held true to one another in trouble and death. It was inspiring to see the commitment bestowed by the two and heartwarming to see the friendship of Tennessee’s Partner as he gives Tennessee, who is seen as a cruel ruthless man, a decent funeral.