The Young Treasure Hunter; Or, Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska

A determined teenager named Fred Stanley awakens to a quiet kitchen, his father leaning on a crutch after a mining accident. With school set aside and the family’s finances dwindling, Fred volunteers to seek work at the new mining settlement called New Strike, hoping a cart‑driving job might turn the tide for his household. The conversation with his dad reveals a deep sense of responsibility, a love of learning, and a willingness to sacrifice comfort for the sake of his family.

The story follows Fred as he leaves his modest home in Piddock, California, and heads toward the bustling diggings where rumors of rich ore promise both opportunity and danger. Along the way he meets seasoned prospectors, confronts the harsh realities of frontier life, and discovers the grit required to survive in a world where every cart‑wheel turn could mean a chance at a better future.