Harper's Young People, November 16, 1880 An Illustrated Monthly

In the deep‑frosted hills of northern New Hampshire, Dr. Putnam battles the elements to reach the scattered sickfolk of his remote district. His wife tends a modest home while their three children—Sam, the earnest sixteen‑year‑old, his younger sister Mary Ann, and baby Teddy—learn the rhythm of a life lived on the edge of winter’s bite. The story opens on a night so dark and bitter that the doctor must venture out with only a tin lantern and a ragged buffalo‑robe, a reminder of how relentless the season can be for a country doctor.

While the family gathers around the fire, Sam’s imagination turns to a practical dream: a warm fox‑skin coat for his ailing father. He recalls tales of hunters and the promise of a sturdy hide, and his recent practice with a rifle and snare fuels a budding plan to bring the wilderness home. With determination and the innocence of youth, Sam sets the stage for a quiet adventure that could warm more than just a coat.