The Guardsman

On a mist‑filled Halloween night in 1909, the streets of Fairweather are slick with rain and echo with the restless chatter of a small gang of boys. Ranging from twelve to sixteen, they drift through dim alleys, their intentions hidden beneath a veneer of innocence, while a lone policeman watches them pass without intervening. The atmosphere is thick with the promise of youthful rebellion, setting the stage for a night that will test their camaraderie.

Their target is a cobbler’s shop advertising “Puppies for Sale Here,” a banner they deem absurd and ripe for a prank. Led by the outspoken Halpert and the quick‑witted Little Dusty, the boys debate where to mount the removed sign—perhaps the butcher’s door or the gate of a local mill owner—each suggestion revealing their personalities and the stakes of their mischief. As they prepare to act, the night’s fog seems to both conceal and amplify the thrill of their scheme, hinting that the consequences may reach farther than they anticipate.