Young Boy Lost: Tommy's Fourth Chance

By C. W. Gustafson

In Young Boy Lost: Tommy’s Fourth Chance, Tommy and Eric continue their adventures in northern Wisconsin in the early 1900s. The boys go on a couple of trips. One out West to Wyoming, where they end up in a mess, and another down to Illinois to visit Matthew and Lucas and have an exciting time with them. They also encounter some mysterious events in the Block and other places around Port Falls. Get ready for the fourth book in the Young Boy Lost series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781716096044

Book preview

Young Boy Lost

Tommy’s Fourth Chance

C. W. Gustafson

Copyright © 2021 C. W. Gustafson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored,

or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical,

or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the

case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized

reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

The characters in the Young Boy Lost series get involved in potentially dangerous

activities, including (but not limited to) being in the proximity of large wild

and domesticated animals, swimming without a lifeguard, falling off cliffs,

riding horses, accosting criminals, and a host of other activities. The author

and publisher do not necessarily endorse any of these activities and do not

recommend that the reader or listener engage in any potentially dangerous acts.

ISBN: 978-1-7160-9605-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7160-9604-4 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Front Cover Picture: Kristina Lazorik

Back Cover Picture: Lily Truchon

Frostwood Forest Logo designed by Isaac Rantala

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 03/22/2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the following people for their feedback on the Young Boy Lost series: Dave Allen, Nancy Allen, Diane Armant-Kirby, David Johnson, Lynn Johnson, David Lindelof, Eva Gustafson, Emily Gustafson, and Megan Gustafson. Their input is greatly appreciated.

PREFACE

In Young Boy Lost: Tommy’s First Chance, Tommy lived in abject poverty, with a man who claimed to be his father, and who treated him harshly. Tommy had to scrounge for food and firewood. He eventually was left with Ted and Margaret Carson by his father, who moved to Chicago to find his fortune. Tommy’s life with Ted and Margaret was fantastic. They were a young Christian couple with three children of their own—twins Timmy and Tyler, who were six years old, and Elizabeth, who was four years old. Pastor Vic (P.V.) also lived as a boarder with Ted and Margaret. He was a young man just out of seminary and was the pastor at the Port Falls Community Church, which Ted and Margaret attended.

Tommy also met Eric when he was living with Ted and Margaret. Eric was their neighbor and lived with his mother, Evelyn. Eric’s dad had died over a year previously and life was hard for Eric and Evelyn after that. They eventually moved in with Ted and Margaret as well, after Evelyn became ill with pneumonia. Tommy and Eric had a series of adventures, including train rides, being kidnapped, rescue attempts, horse rides, a blizzard, thin ice, and more.

In Young Boy Lost: Tommy’s Second Chance, Tommy was in the process of being adopted by the young couple, and life was good. However, a mysterious stranger followed Tommy, and it looked like the stranger was intending to take him. Tommy and Eric, along with some of their friends, had another series of adventures in the springtime, filled with danger and excitement.

In Young Boy Lost: Tommy’s Third Chance, Tommy and his friends continue their adventures during the summer. They run into bank robbers, bulls, bees, storms, kidnappers, a giant, an undefeated baseball team, and have hair-raising escapades that make the reader wonder if any of them are going to make it through unscathed. They also enter the county fair and have a horse race that is sure to thrill.

In Young Boy Lost: Tommy’s Fourth Chance, Tommy and Eric go on a couple of trips. One out West to Wyoming, where they end up in a mess, and another down to Illinois to visit Matthew and Lucas. They also encounter some mysterious events in the Block and other places around Port Falls. It seems the adventures never cease with Tommy.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

If you have read the Young Boy Lost series, you may have noticed a pattern. There seems to be scenes and events that repeat. For example, in each book there is a haymow scene, a sauna event, characters walking to the house (or some other place) together, descriptions of meals, and a whole lot of rough-and-tumble play. This is intentional. These events bring back memories to me of my childhood, when I would visit my grandparents’ farm, where the haymow was a fantastic place for me to play. Also, the neighboring area in which I live has a strong Finnish-ancestry population, where the sauna is a central part of their lives.

Some of the adventures in Tommy’s Fourth Chance actually occurred and happened to acquaintances or relatives of mine. A fishing boat did run into a cave in Devil’s Island when the captain fell asleep at the wheel. Herring season is real (even today) and many members of the community years ago would pitch in and help process the herring when the commercial fishing boats brought in the harvest in November, when Lake Superior was (and is) particularly dangerous (my wife’s great uncle was one of the 29 crew members who went down on the Edmund Fitzgerald in November of 1975). The Block really is a sandstone building in my hometown of Port Wing, Wisconsin, and there are stories of it being haunted.

So, sit back, grab a cup of coffee or cocoa, and enjoy Young Boy Lost: Tommy’s Fourth Chance.

Characters In The Young Boy Lost

Series (Updated For Book Four)

Tommy Carson - Tommy is eleven years old. He was orphaned at birth and lived with a man (Harold Carson) who treated him harshly. Tommy is thin, with light brown hair and pale, blue eyes. He is somewhat quiet and unassuming. He is kind and caring and wants to be a missionary when he grows up, being inspired by Vic’s parents, who told him of their adventures when they were missionaries. He recently came to live with Ted and Margaret when Harold dropped him off there on his way to go live in Chicago. Harold is a distant cousin of Ted.

Eric Soderlund - Eric is eleven years old. He is a neighbor to Tommy, Ted, and Margaret and lived with them for much of the Young Boy Lost series. Eric is Tommy’s best friend. He has blond hair and blue eyes. He is boisterous, confident, and assertive. He is humorous and likes to have a good time. He also wants to be a missionary when he grows up. Eric lost his dad when he was nine years old, and had been missing him very much, up until the time that Vic came into his life.

Ted Carson - Ted is a tall, blond-haired young man. He is a successful author and sells his adventure books to a wide market out east. He is twenty-six years old and is a constant joker. He and his wife, Margaret, are parents to twin boys (Timmy and Tyler), who are six years-old, and to Elizabeth, who is four. He is in the process of adopting Tommy. Ted is a devout follower of Jesus Christ and is best friends with Pastor Vic (P.V.).

Pastor Victor Johnson - Vic (or P.V., as the Carson family calls him) is a tall young man with short brown hair, blue eyes, and a ready smile. He is kind and wise for his age. He is the pastor of the Port Falls Community Church and marries Evelyn, who is Eric’s mother. Vic is the son of former missionaries, who are now serving as Bible college professors in Illinois. He is best friends with Ted, and ends up embroiled in a lot of adventures with Ted and the boys.

Margaret Carson - Margaret is Ted’s wife. She is a beautiful, auburn-haired lady. She is the mother of Timmy, Tyler, and Elizabeth. She is a bit feisty and must be, to survive Ted’s adventures. She is confident, strong, wise, and caring. She is best friends with Evelyn.

Evelyn Soderlund (Johnson) - Evelyn is a beautiful blond-haired woman, the mother of Eric. She marries Vic. She lost her first husband, Eric’s father, to appendicitis almost two years previously. She is a strong, brave woman.

Tyler Carson - Tyler is a twin boy who is seven years old. He is in constant motion and a bundle of energy. He is impulsive and ends up in a lot of hot water due to his antics. He is lovable and caring. He is a joker, much like Ted. He is Ted and Margaret’s son. He has light brown hair and brown eyes.

Timmy Carson - Timmy is a twin boy who is seven years old. He is the identical twin of Tyler. He is introspective and quiet. He has the gift of prophecy and has glimpses into the future. He is kind, caring, and wise beyond his years. He is serious most of the time, but can have fun as well. He is Ted and Margaret’s son. He has light brown hair and brown eyes.

Elizabeth Carson - Elizabeth is the daughter of Ted and Margaret. She is five years old and has auburn hair and brown (almost hazel) eyes. She is confident, assertive, and doesn’t take any guff from anyone, as she must be when she has three older brothers (if you count Tommy).

Matthew Johnson - Matthew is the younger brother of P.V. He is twelve years old, with blond hair and brown eyes. He is a prankster and loves to have a good time. He also occasionally pushes the envelope of the rules. He is kind and caring, though, and loves Vic.

Lucas Johnson - Lucas is the younger brother of P.V. He is nine years old. He has dark brown hair and fierce blue eyes. He is a thin boy, with a ready smile and a good sport. He is sometimes at the receiving end of Matthew’s humor.

Hank Johnson - Hank is the dad of Vic, Matthew, Lucas, Paul, and David. He is a former missionary to Africa and is now a Bible college professor in Illinois. He owns a thoroughbred breeding farm and raises some fine horses. He is tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is wise and kind, an older version of Vic.

Mary Johnson - Mary is the mom of Vic, Matthew, Lucas, Paul, and David. She is a former missionary to Africa as well, and is also now a Bible college professor in Illinois. She has blond hair and brown eyes. She is a brilliant speaker, drawing people in with her stories of her missionary days.

Paul Johnson - Paul is Vic’s younger brother. He is twenty-one years old and is attending the Bible college where Hank and Mary teach. He also helps run the thoroughbred farm. He is quiet and thoughtful. He has light brown hair and blue eyes. He is about six feet, two inches tall, and looks like he could be a brother to Tommy.

David Johnson - David is Vic’s younger brother, as well. He is seventeen years old and has light brown hair and hazel eyes. He is athletic and muscular, the captain of his high school football team back home in Illinois. He is confident and straightforward. He has a quick smile and loves to joke around.

Sven - Sven is a classmate of Eric and Tommy. He was formerly one of their antagonists, but has recently come to be a friend of theirs. His father (who was not very nice to him), ends up dying and Sven finds himself without any parents, since his mom died back when Sven was only six years old. He was adopted by Eli and Beth. He has blond hair and blue eyes.

Eli Gray - Eli is a nineteen-year-old young man from Chicago. He was orphaned when he was only fourteen. He lived by himself, selling brushes, at the time when he met Tommy and Eric on their trip to Chicago. He helped Tommy and Eric in their ordeal in Chicago, and then eventually married Beth Holland and moved to Evergreen, close to the Carson family.

Skip - Skip is a tough Chicago guy, who also is a boxer. He is an Irishman, with a pretty pronounced Irish accent. He is Eli’s friend, and assists Tommy and Eric when they are in Chicago. He is short, with red hair.

Beth (Holland) Gray - Beth is a beautiful young lady who lived in Chicago. She met Tommy, Eric, and Eli on the train during Tommy and Eric’s trip to Chicago. She is an assertive person, who also helped Tommy and Eric. She met and married Eli and moved to Evergreen next to the Carson family.

Cam - Cam is a tall, beautiful blond-haired woman who lives by herself in the forest near Port Falls. She is a mysterious, strong woman, who has befriended wolves and other creatures of the forest. She lives in a log house and is self-sufficient. She owns a huge Friesian horse. She is a friend of the environment. She helps Eric, Tommy, and their friends on more than one occasion. The boys are enamored with her.

Vera - Vera is a classmate of Tommy and Eric. She lives in Evergreen Township. She is a terrific athlete, more than able to hold her own against the boys. She is boisterous and outgoing and has a crush on Tommy. She is a bit of a prankster and tries to get Tommy’s attention. Vera has shorter, brown hair and blue eyes.

Pete Lindell - Pete is a teacher in Iron Creek. He is a friend of Ted and Margaret, and is an avid fisherman. He knows a great deal about a lot of subjects, and is a sauna expert. He has a wry sense of humor and is a favorite of the boys in Ted and Margaret’s (and P.V. and Evelyn’s) household. He has light blond hair and blue eyes. Pete lives in Saalo, a Finnish community, about seven miles south of where Ted and Margaret live in Evergreen.

Ann Lindell - Ann is Pete’s wife, and is also a teacher in Iron Creek. She has a lively sense of humor and is sometimes exasperated at Pete’s antics. She is an excellent cook and a good friend of Margaret and Evelyn. She has light blond hair and blue eyes.

Ed Johnson - Ed is a local commercial fisherman in Port Falls. Despite the same last name, he is not related to Vic. This is not surprising, since the Johnson surname is a very common one in the Port Falls area. He is a mechanical genius and maritime expert. He has wavy brown hair and blue eyes.

Hal Benson - Hal is the foreman of the logging camp up on Flag River near Port Falls. He is a thin, wiry man with light brown hair and blue eyes. He is a friend of Ted and Vic. He has a burden for the lumberjacks in his camp and wants to see them have a relationship with Christ.

Lyle - Lyle is a friend of Tommy and Eric, although he certainly did not start out that way. He is a thin, strong boy and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was abandoned by his parents and is now staying with Eli and Beth. He is Sven’s best friend.

The Gustavsson Family - Ernest and Ida had eleven children. One died in infancy (Grace). They range from the eldest, Stan, who is fourteen, to Walter, Ralph, William, Marvin, Margaret, Angeline, Dorothy, Emogene, and Elouise, who was the youngest at five years old. They have some adventures with Tommy. The Gustavsson kids love to play baseball.

Migizi - Migizi is an Ojibwe boy, eleven years old. He recently moved to Evergreen with his mother, twin younger brothers, and younger sister. He is athletic, brave, and quiet. He is beginning to make friendships with the Evergreen boys. He lives with his Mother (Opichi), two younger brothers (Makwa and Ma’iingan), and younger sister (Neebin).

Monty - Monty is a sixteen-year-old cowboy from Wyoming. Tommy and Eric met him on their trip out west with Clark. He has dark brown hair and blue eyes. He accompanies Tommy and Eric back to Wisconsin and has started working at Ted and Vic’s horse farm in Evergreen.

Grant - Grant is a very tall, young, African-American man (seven feet, two inches tall). He lives by Tommy and the Gustavsson family. He has a great sense of humor and is a bit mysterious.

Nils Nilsson - Nils is the Carson family’s bachelor neighbor. He is tall, thin, and about forty years old. He is a Swedish immigrant and has a thick accent. He is kind, caring, and looks out for the Carson kids.

Ned - Ned is a classmate of Tommy. He has blond hair and is thin and tall. He loves to fight and can hold his own in a battle. At first he was not kind to other kids around him, but he is improving.

Oscar - Oscar is a classmate of Tommy and is Ned’s best friend. He has brown hair and is also thin and tall, like Ned. He also loves to fight. Both he and Ned come from poor families who are struggling to survive.

Harold Carson - Harold is the main antagonist in the series. He took in Tommy’s birth mother right before she had Tommy. Tommy’s mother died giving birth to Tommy, and Harold claims he was then stuck with Tommy after that. Harold is a rotten scoundrel, who only thinks of himself and how he can make some money, even though he never has any. He gave Tommy to Ted and Margaret and then wanted him back (to be a laborer in Chicago). He ended up trying to shoot at the Iron Creek constable in a scuffle over Tommy and is now in jail. He has greasy brownish-blond hair and is tall.

Stone - Stone is Harold Carson’s partner in crime. He is like Harold in his attitude, and sells medicine door to door in Chicago. He conspired with Harold to kidnap Tommy and ended up in a gun battle in Iron Creek. He is now in jail with Harold. He is a thin, weasel-like guy who has no redeeming qualities.

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CHAPTER 1

NOT AGAIN!

I t was late August in northern Wisconsin. Tommy and Eric, a couple of eleven-year-old boys, rode their geldings down the road, side-by-side. Want to race? Eric asked, as he wiped his blond hair out of his eyes with his right hand.

Sure, why not? Tommy replied. He had light brown hair and pale blue eyes. He smiled at Eric and sat up straight in his saddle. Eric brought Lightning, his chestnut gelding, up next to Tommy and his black gelding, Thunder.

It’ll be just like Matthew riding Ben in the race at the fair this past summer, Eric mentioned.

Except, instead of Matthew and Ben winning, it will be me and Thunder! Tommy said, as he took off like a shot. Eric gave a startled look and he and Lightning galloped after them. The horses streaked down Evergreen road, raising a cloud of dust. The horses eventually slowed down as they tired, with no clear-cut winner. They went into a trot and then a walk, side-by-side. Eric reached out his hand to Tommy, who took it and the boys shook hands.

We’re best buddies in the world, aren’t we? Eric asked.

Yep, even though we beat you, Tommy replied, with a sly smile.

I don’t think you did. It was a tie.

I can live with that.

Me too! The boys shook hands again and Eric slapped Tommy on the back, laughing.

Say, I sure miss Matthew and Lucas, Tommy mentioned, as the boys continued down the road. Matthew was twelve years old and Lucas was nine. They stayed with Eric all summer, as they were Eric’s stepfather’s younger brothers. They had just recently gone back to Illinois, after their summer visit to northern Wisconsin.

P.V. promised that we get to ride the train to Illinois to visit them this fall, Tommy said. And I intend to remind him so that we can go. P.V. was short for Pastor Vic, who was Eric’s stepfather and pastor of the local community church.

Oh, I remind him every day already, Eric replied. The boys turned off the road into the woods. They walked their horses down the path, sweeping branches of trees away from their faces with their arms. Here’s a good spot to rest, Eric mentioned. They dismounted and tied the geldings up to a towering oak tree. They then walked a few paces and sat down together under a large white spruce. The moss on the ground under the tree was soft, cool, and provided a cushion. They sat there, leaning against the tree, hands behind their heads, enjoying the warm September day.

I’m taking my boots off and relaxing, Tommy said.

Just don’t put them too near my nose, Eric replied. The boys laughed and slipped off their cowboy boots.

So, what do you think school is going to be like? Tommy asked, as he and Eric looked at the amazing boreal forest that surrounded them. The balsams, red pines, white pines, spruces, oaks, and maples stood like stately sentinels. Squirrels, chipmunks, and untold numbers of birds were busy finding food.

Sixth grade isn’t going to be a whole lot more fun than fifth.

And I don’t suppose Miss Jackson has gotten any easier, Tommy said.

Are you boys havin’ fun? A voice called out from behind them. Tommy gulped, as it was a voice that struck fear into his heart. Harold, Tommy’s original, mean, nasty ex-guardian stepped out from behind some bushes. He held a pistol in his right hand. Tommy and Eric froze and looked at him in horror. Did you miss me, Son?

You aren’t my dad! Tommy replied, as he backed up against the white spruce. Eric just kept looking, glancing from Harold to Tommy.

Sure I am. You and me are goin’ back to Chicago and I’m gonna put you to work on the streets, makin’ me some money.

I’m not ever going with you again! Tommy shouted. Harold pointed the pistol at him.

Get up. I don’t got time to waste. Now, it sure is nice of you to provide us two horses to ride back to the train station in Iron Creek. I had to hitch a ride out here from a farmer, Harold said. And tell that partner of yours to leave, or he’ll get shot!

You better go, Eric, Tommy said.

I’m not gonna leave you, Eric replied. If he takes you, he takes me.

I guess two boys workin’ the streets are better than one, Harold said. Okay, you’re goin’ with, too! Now let’s get on them horses and get outta here!

The boys reluctantly got up, pulled their boots on and headed to the horses. The boys’ legs were trembling. Tommy and Eric got up on Thunder, and Harold rode Lightning. They made their way back through the trail to Evergreen Road and headed south, toward Iron Creek. Harold made the boys ride ahead of him so that he could keep an eye on them. Tommy was just shaking his head, and a tear rolled down his cheek. Eric, who was sitting right behind Tommy, patted his back and whispered, God’s gonna get us out of this mess, Tommy. Just you wait and see.

I hope you’re right, Tommy whispered back.

Hey you two, no talkin’, Harold snarled. They continued down the dusty road. I suppose you’re wonderin’ how I got out of jail. Both boys remained silent. Hearing no response, Harold continued anyway. Well, there ain’t no prison that can hold me. I escaped on the train that was taking me to lock me away. I’m too smart to be kept for long, you know.

Even Jesse James met his end eventually, Eric replied, with a glare at Harold. And he was a whole lot badder than you. All you did was try to kidnap a couple a kids.

Shut up, you! Harold seethed. Eric glared back at him.

Yeah, remember last time you kidnapped us? We told you that you better not ever sleep, Tommy added.

Yeah, something bad might happen to you if you do, Eric said.

I told you two to keep quiet! Harold practically shouted. After a mile or so of riding, they all saw a person in the distance walking toward them. Now you two don’t say a word when we pass! Harold said. You hear me? Not a word!

As the stranger on the road got closer, the boys could tell who it was. The giant man, Grant, approached them and stopped right before Harold and Lightning. Excuse me, my boys and me would like to keep traveling, Harold said, as he gazed with a little anxiety at the seven-foot tall African-American man.

Your boys? Grant said. I happen to know these boys quite well and I am real certain that they aren’t your boys! And what are you doing ridin’ one of their horses? Grant stepped right up to Harold, who started reaching for his pistol. Grant saw this and immediately grabbed Harold and yanked him off Lightning. Grant gained control of Harold’s gun and pinned him down on the road. Tommy and Eric jumped off Thunder.

He’s Harold, he was kidnapping us again! Tommy shouted. Harold struggled against Grant, but it was no use. He was like a child in the giant’s arms.

Now mister, you ain’t goin’ to escape me. You can cooperate, or I can give you a punch that will make you senseless for a half a day. What will it be? Grant said. Harold didn’t reply. Grant had Eric and Tommy get some rope from the saddle bags and the three of them tied Harold’s hands behind his back. A few minutes later a horse and wagon came rumbling up the road toward them at a fast pace. The boys saw that it was Ted and Vic (P.V.), as the wagon drew near them. Ted stopped the wagon and he and Vic jumped off and ran to where Grant had Harold tied up.

Ted’s eyes grew wide as he recognized Harold. What in the world? He stated. Tommy and Eric filled him in on what Harold did to them. What do you have to say for yourself? Ted shouted at Harold. "You were going to be in prison