The Putnam Hall Cadets; or, Good Times in School and Out

At Putnam Hall, a bustling boarding school perched on a sparkling lake in up‑state New York, a tight‑knit group of boys fills each day with energy and good‑natured rivalry. When the term begins, the cadets prepare to vote for their new officers, and the chatter of ambitions, jokes, and whispered schemes fills the dormitory halls. Among them, Pepper Ditmore—always the impish “jumping‑jack”—and the thoughtful Jack Ruddy trade barbs, daring each other to claim leadership while plotting harmless mischief.

Beyond the formalities of drills and studies, the boys revel in a series of light‑hearted mysteries: a baffling mix‑up of salt and sugar, a stray bulldog mysteriously appearing in a roommate’s room, and other pranks that keep everyone on their toes. Their camaraderie and competitive spirit promise plenty of spirited adventures, both in the classroom and out on the lake, as they learn what it truly means to be a cadet and a friend.