A Struggle for a Fortune

A frontier-set tale follows a boy named Nat and a family led by Jonas Keeler as they become entangled with an eccentric boarder, Mr. Nickerson, whose apparent bequests and mysterious hints about hidden money ignite conflict, schemes, and moral tests. Scenes move between cramped cabin life, arguments over scarce resources, and furtive searches through books and property as characters weigh honesty against greed. The plot alternates action and domestic drama, with clues that suggest buried treasure driving pursuits, reconciliations, and portrayals of resourcefulness while exploring the personal consequences of avarice and generosity.