Boston pharmacist and protagonist who travels to Sacramento, establishes a drugstore, and becomes the central figure in resolving the town's conflicts and the gold fields epidemic.
Britt's violent scheme against Tom drives the central conflict.
Britt has Tom thrown overboard, blocks him from renting a store, arranges to eliminate him, poisons his elixir, and later attacks his drugstore.
Kegs repeatedly supports Tom during physical danger and the medical crisis.
Kegs joins Tom on the river boat, jumps into the water after Tom is thrown overboard, and later rides back to obtain medicine for the epidemic.
They operate the town's drugstore together.
When no one will rent to Tom, he rents Lacey's store and goes into partnership with her.
Ellen becomes Tom's formal romantic prospect during the middle of the story.
Ellen arranges an introduction to Tom, they begin dating, and she accepts his proposal before leaving for San Francisco.
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