# David Harum — David Harum character guide > David Harum in David Harum by Edward Noyes Westcott. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dave, Dave Harum, Harum, old Dave, Dave ben, Lish Harum **First appearance:** 0001-david-harum ## Snapshot A shrewd, joke-loving Homeville banker and horse trader whose folksy wit and tangled motives keep everyone guessing whether he's serious or pulling your leg. ## Who they are David Harum runs the local bank and horse-trading business, holding court over Homeville gossip with a tongue that slides between the serious and the facetious without any clear boundary. He hires a young city man named John Lenox on a whim, and his habit of testing people through banter and sharp dealing makes him both a mentor and a puzzle. His appetite, his distrust of horseback riding for pleasure, and his gleeful needling of neighbors like the Verjooses define the comic and moral center of the town. ## Relationships ### [John Lenox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/john_lenox) _friendship_ David Harum mentors and befriends the young John Lenox, guiding him in business and life. ### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee) _friendship_ Mrs. Bixbee is a close confidante and neighbor to David Harum, sharing gossip and support. ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/aunt_polly) _family_ Aunt Polly is David Harum's relative, likely an aunt, who lives with him and manages his household. ### [Billy P. Cullom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/billy_p_cullom) _professional_ Billy P. Cullom is a business associate or employee of David Harum, involved in local trade. ### [Mrs. Cullom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_cullom) _social_ Mrs. Cullom is a neighbor and social acquaintance of David Harum, often involved in community matters. ### [Chet Timson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/chet_timson) _rivalry_ Chet Timson is a business rival of David Harum, often clashing over deals and influence. ### [Miss Verjoos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/miss_verjoos) _social_ Miss Verjoos is a local spinster and social acquaintance of David Harum. ### [Deakin Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/deakin_perkins) _professional_ Deakin Perkins is a business partner or employee of David Harum, involved in horse trading or banking. ### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mr_smith) _professional_ Mr. Smith is a business associate of David Harum, likely a customer or trader. ### [Dick Larrabee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/dick_larrabee) _friendship_ Dick Larrabee is a friend and occasional drinking companion of David Harum. ### [John Lenox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/john_lenox) _friendship_ David Harum mentors and befriends the young John Lenox, guiding him in business and life. ### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee) _friendship_ Mrs. Bixbee is a close confidante and neighbor to David Harum, sharing gossip and support. ## In the story ### [David Harum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/david-harum) Introduced as the central figure, a banker and horse trader known for his wit and moral ambiguity. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/i) Tells the story of buying a horse and discusses his decision to bring John Lenox from New York. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/ii) Tells the story of selling a balky horse to Deacon Perkins, demonstrating his cunning and enjoyment of the deal. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xi) Writes to General Wolsey seeking a replacement cashier from outside Homeville. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the bank owner who hired John and sold horses to Robinson; also referenced as having let Chet Timson go. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xiii) Arrives at the bank and is introduced to John Lenox; described in detail. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xiv) Confronts Bill Montaig over a debt, physically ejects him, and later discusses John's background and adjustment to Homeville. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xv) David grumbles about Chet's departure, invites John to tea, and warns Mrs. Bixbee not to mention eagles. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xvi) Sits reading his paper, teases Aunt Polly, and recounts his experiment with John Lenox regarding counterfeit bills. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xvii) Tells John the history of the Cullom family and reveals his plan to call in Mrs. Cullom's mortgage on Christmas morning. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xviii) Defends horse-trading ethics, reveals his scheme to John, and is delayed by a colt's injury before attending to Mrs. Cullom. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xix) David negotiates with Mrs. Cullom, explaining his business motives and sharing a personal story from his youth. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xx) Recounts his childhood circus trip with Billy P. Cullom and reveals he has paid off Mrs. Cullom's mortgage as repayment for that kindness. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxi) Tells John the story of Purse's loan and Timson's indiscretion, explains his hiring philosophy, and invites John to dinner. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxii) Discussed at length; his secret generosity toward Lish Harum is revealed. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxii) David's mean half-brother, who was secretly supported by David in the poorhouse. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxiii) Hosts the Christmas dinner, carves the turkey, and jokes with the household. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxiv) Tells the story of Amri Shapless and Lize Annis's failed marriage attempt and recounts taking Aunt Polly to a New York theater. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxv) David shares personal stories about his first horse, his canal work, and his childhood hardships, revealing his character and past. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxv) David references his older brother 'Lish as a cruel figure from his childhood, worse than the rough canal workers. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxvi) Narrates a lengthy anecdote about his visit to Mr. Price in Newport, highlighting his rustic manners and humorous misadventures with high society customs. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxvii) Tells John about his dinner at the Price's, including his napkin incident and the story of Elder Maybee's powder. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxviii) David explains the social hierarchy of Homeville, discusses the Verjoos family, and shares his philosophy on contentment. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxix) Tells the story of his horse trade with the Verjoos family, reflecting on his business acumen and his relationship with the community. ### [The Second Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxx) Expresses deep affection for John, comparing him to his lost son; enjoys driving with John and shares his philosophy on horses and companionship. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxi) Declines to discuss John's contribution to household expenses; praises John's driving skill and musical ability to Dick Larrabee. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxii) David advises John to accept the choir leadership, using his characteristic horse-trading analogies. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxiii) Meets John and Miss Clara on the road, jokes about her horse Kirby, and expresses admiration for her. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxiv) Narrates his Sunday horse-trading trip to 'Lizer Howe's, using hypotheticals to close a deal despite 'Lizer's scruples. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxv) Discusses John's prospects and the Verjoos family with Aunt Polly. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxvi) Encourages John, offers him a carriage, and humorously describes John's singing. ### [David's Tale of Matrimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxviii) David recounts his marriage to a widow, describing his youthful naivety, the early joys, and the growing jealousy and domestic turmoil. ### [David's Story: The Bonnet and the Baby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxix) Narrates the story of his wife's bonnet, her illness, and the birth and death of their child. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xl) David shares intimate memories of his son's death and his near-remarriage, revealing his enduring sorrow and generosity. ### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xli) Narrates the story of how he outmaneuvered Lawyer Staples in the railroad controversy using a subscription paper. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xlii) Proposes the pork speculation, explains the market, and manages the trade with characteristic patience and humor. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xliii) David questions John about marriage and his past, then proposes a business partnership and reveals his plan to close his bank. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xliv) Shows deep concern for John's health, insists he take a leave, and offers to manage John's property and oil lease negotiations. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xlvii) Sends a cable to John about the sale of the Pennsylvania property, indicating the stock is good. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xlviii) Sits at his desk in the office of Harum & Co., reads a letter from Napoli with great interest and excitement, then bolts out toward the house. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/epilogue) Still living and active, despite a hypothetical accident; continues his usual habits, now using a younger horse. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/david_harum - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters