Frank Reade and His Steam Horse

A brilliant sixteen‑year‑old tinkerer named Frank Reade is putting the finishing touches on his latest marvel—a “steam horse,” a metallic beast built from steel, iron and copper that can gallop at astonishing speeds. While he works in a modest wood‑shed, an affable Irish visitor named Patrick McSpalten drops by, curious about the invention and eager to hear the story behind its creation. Their lively exchange reveals Frank’s confidence: the machine can sprint up to sixty miles an hour and sustain long journeys with only brief cooling stops.

The scene sets the stage for a daring venture, as Frank hopes to invite an old family friend to join him on a test run of his steam‑driven steed. The promise of high‑velocity travel across the open plains hints at the bold experiments and unexpected challenges that lie ahead. Listeners will be drawn into a world where youthful ingenuity meets the raw power of steam, launching an adventure that races beyond imagination.