Youth, Vol. I, No. 3, May 1902 An Illustrated Monthly Journal for Boys & Girls

Set in the turbulent summer of 1777, the story follows spirited fifteen‑year‑old Hadley Morris, who works at the Three Oaks inn along the busy road between Philadelphia and New York. When a captured dispatch bearer entrusts him with a crucial packet for General Washington, Hadley seizes the chance to aid the patriot cause, even though his uncle’s blessing to enlist remains uncertain. He darts away from the inn, narrowly evading British dragoons and a wary foraging party, his heart pounding with the weight of the secret letters. The journey pushes him through dense woods and across a swift river, testing his resolve and quick thinking.

Along the way, Hadley encounters the charismatic Colonel John Cadwalader, who recognizes the boy’s honesty and offers protection. Under Cadwalader’s watchful eye, Hadley reaches the Continental headquarters, where he finally presents the dispatches to General Washington himself. The meeting not only validates his daring trek but also cements a new, unlikely friendship that promises further adventure in the struggle for liberty.