Tom Taylor at West Point : $b or, The old army officer's secret

Tom Taylor is a bright‑eyed sixteen‑year‑old from a modest countryside cottage, balancing school work with a string of odd jobs to fund his biggest dream: a place at West Point. When a sudden early release from his shop job leaves him homeward bound, he conceals a secret triumph from his hardworking mother, hoping to ease her worries while quietly plotting his next move. Their conversation reveals a tight‑knit family, the pressures of paying bills, and Tom’s unwavering resolve to find any opportunity that will get him nearer his cadet ambition.

The story follows Tom as he navigates the practical hurdles of saving money, confronting the expectations of his community, and confronting the first signs of the disciplined life he hopes to enter. Along the way, he learns the value of perseverance, the weight of responsibility, and the delicate balance between youthful optimism and the real world’s demands—all setting the stage for his eventual journey to the academy.