The Grafters

"The Grafters" by Francis Lynde is a story set in the late 1800s that looks at how dreams, money troubles, and the tricky parts of being human play out in a growing town in the West. It all starts in Gaston, a town that used to be successful because of its railroads but quickly falls apart when the money runs out. David Kent, a lawyer, is the main character, going through a tough time as he deals with losing money, big changes in society, and the complicated world of politics. The story shows how Gaston went from being a promising place to a town in crisis, introducing the people who built it up and the financial disaster that kicks everything off. Kent comes from New Hampshire looking for a good life but gets caught up in the mess. Through his eyes, we see how scared people are as they face what's happening and how he tries to stay honest and do his job well as things get worse. This beginning sets the scene for a story about people's lives getting mixed together and asks questions about right and wrong and how the West is governed.