The story revolves around a young American who becomes disillusioned with the corruption and inefficiency of the government bureaucracy. He decides to take a stand by refusing to accept a bribe, which leads to his dismissal from office. The protagonist's actions spark a wave of public outrage, prompting widespread reforms and ultimately leading to the creation of a more honest and efficient civil service system.
By Edward Everett Hale · First published 1890 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Political Fiction, Literary Fiction