The Bondboy

"The Bondboy" by George W. Ogden is a tale of youthful resilience amid difficult circumstances, when a determined mother, Sarah Newbolt, makes a heart-wrenching agreement to give her son, Joe, as a bondboy to the unforgiving Isom Chase in order to save her family's home from financial ruin. Shackled by the terms of the agreement, it explores Joe’s fight to overcome his lack of freedom and displays his strong will against the imposing power of Chase, all while dealing with doing right by his mother. Focused on sacrifice and family loyalty while set against the backdrop of rural deprivation, Joe's story displays someone struggling to maintain their independence while facing the burden of responsibility and the harsh realities of the world.