
A bewildered delegate from the first United States Congress awakens in a strange open field, stripped of clothing and far from the colonial world he knows. The cavern‑like entrance of a forgotten tavern has left him naked, clutching a letter and a pistol, while a group of modern children play ball nearby, baffling him with their slang and casual bravado. As he fumbles to explain his rank and purpose, a confident young girl named Gertie offers a curious mix of curiosity and irreverence, turning his desperate search for help into an unexpected encounter with 20th‑century leisure. The scene swells with humor as the solemn patriot tries to navigate etiquette, politics, and the simple pleasure of sun‑bathing in an era that knows nothing of powdered wigs.
Through witty dialogue and vivid contrasts, the story sets up a comedy of manners where an 18th‑century statesman must reconcile his sense of duty with the bewildering freedoms of a modern park. The episode promises a playful exploration of culture shock, friendship across centuries, and the timeless quest for dignity—even when stripped down to the basics. Listeners are invited to join Ephraim’s frantic yet charming attempt to find his way home, all while learning that some liberties—like a sunny meadow—are universal.
Language
en
Duration
~35 minutes (34K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2021-04-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1904–1969
A fast, prolific storyteller of mid-century crime fiction, he moved easily between pulp magazines, paperback originals, and radio scripts. His work helped shape the hardboiled, suspenseful feel that made 1950s paperbacks so addictive.
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