'The American Baron' is a novel in the drama genre, written by James de Mille. The story begins by introducing us to a party of travelers, who, somewhat less than a hundred years ago, might have been seen crossing over the Simplon Road, en route for Italy. Unwilling to wait at Brieg, and equally unwilling to make a detour so as to take the railroad, the party decided to go on. They were informed that they could go on wheels as far as the line of snow, but that afterward their accommodations would not be as comfortable as they might desire. The road had been cleared for only a few feet; the snow was deep; the sleds were rude; and progress would be slow. These statements, however, did not shake the resolution of the party; and the end of it was that they were determined to go on, and cross the mountain if it were possible.