The Young Game-Warden

"The Young Game-Warden" by Harry Castlemon is a tale from the late 1800s that centers on Silas Morgan, a sluggish ferryman whose life is upended by the discovery of a puzzling letter hinting at secret wealth buried in the mountains. The story introduces his family, including his hard-working son, Joe, who recently became a game warden, and his shiftless brother, Dan, who is always looking for an angle. When Silas finds the cryptic letter stashed within a woodpile, it ignites a hunger for wealth, leading him to think about a dangerous journey to find the hidden treasure. As Silas schemes, the relationship between him and his sons comes to light, where Dan’s jealous nature and hatred for Joe create friction, foreshadowing conflicts that will happen as the lives of the Morgans mix with the rich sportsmen in the mountains.