The Gentleman from San Francisco and Other Stories

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The gentleman from San Francisco, whose name was forgotten in Capri and Naples, was embarking on a two-year journey to the Old World with his wife and daughter. He felt entitled to this break, believing he had earned the right to enjoy life after years of hard work. At fifty-eight, he considered himself just beginning to truly live, having previously only existed, albeit comfortably, with his aspirations set on the future. His relentless work in the factories employing thousands of Chinamen had brought him success, and he now felt he had reached the status of his ideals, prompting him to take a pause for leisure. Like many of his peers, he planned to start his enjoyment with a trip to Europe, India, or Egypt. He was eager to reward himself for his labor, but also wanted his family to share in these experiences. While his wife lacked notable sensitivities, she was a passionate traveler, a trait common among elderly American women. His daughter, no longer young and somewhat fragile, needed the journey for her health, and he believed that travel often led to serendipitous encounters, like sitting next to a multimillionaire at dinner or admiring frescoes together.