Horatio Alger Jr.

Ragged Dick (1868) is the first in a series of six novels by American author Horatio Alger. In each, Alger uses the Protestant work ethic as a template to not only examine the harsh realities of urban poverty, but provide a hopeful, concrete moral for his young readers. Dick is a teenage bootblack who lives and works on the streets of New York City. Despite his difficult circumstances, he never loses hope. Dick is determined to both survive and make...

Herbert did not look forward with very joyful anticipations to the new engagement he had formed. He knew very well that he should not like Ebenezer Graham as an employer, but it was necessary that he should earn something, for the income was now but two dollars a week. He was sorry, too, to displace Tom Tripp, but upon this point his uneasiness was soon removed, for Tom dropped in just after Mr. Graham had left the house, and informed Herbert that...

A young boy supports his family through earnest labor and honesty. Unlike most Alger novels, the plot keeps the unlikely circumstances to a minimum. The one strange event being the affair of the valuable ring, which occupies the last half of the book. This device eliminates the usual rescue by an influential rich man, but it does still require a reputable rich man to vouch for Paul honesty in circumstances that would never occur in the real world....

Philip was provided with an appetite, but he did not relish the idea of going downstairs and joining the rest of Mr. Tucker's boarders. It would seem like a tacit admission that he was one of their number. Of course, he couldn't do without eating, but he had a large apple in his pocket when captured, and he thought that this would prevent his suffering from hunger for that night, at least, and he did not mean to spend another at the Norton poorhouse....

For a sane person to find himself suddenly incarcerated in a lunatic asylum is enough to excite a thrill of horror in the most stolid. Ben shuddered and started back, pale and sick with apprehension. He was a brave boy, but it required more courage than he possessed to preserve his coolness under such circumstances.

In this story we find Andy Gordon, the son of a poor widow, as the hero. Being eager for an education, he is obliged to work after school hours to get it. He is a good student and is well liked and highly respected. Herbert Ross, one of Andy's classmates, is the son of a wealthy lawyer. He is a conceited, disagreeable boy, not well liked and not a good student. He treats Andy most shamefully, but Andy proves to be a friend in need. The many thrilling...

Augustus Fitz-Herbert, as all are aware, Having crossed the Atlantic, and got a moustache on, likewise being son of a known millionaire, stands of course on the very top round of the fashion. Being taught to consider himself, from his birth, as one of the privileged ones of the earth, he cherishes deep and befitting disdain for those who don't live in the Fifth Avenue, as entirely unworthy the notice or thought. Of the heir of two millions and nothing...

This being an Alger novel there are several chance encounters that give the hero a chance to better himself without exerting himself overly or even being particularly virtuous. Then there are bears, an Indian, and an incompetent schoolhouse teacher that the boys get to shame entirely.

In this exciting story of Chester Rand, a courageous boy in a country grocery store - has a talent for illustrating - and is hired on at 16 as a newspaper artist. From there his life story is full of excitement and wonder - follow this story of personal success of an artist - from the master of personal growth Horatio Alger.

Ragged Dick is a children's novel by Horatio Alger, Jr., about a poor bootblack and his rise to middle-class comfort and respectability through good moral behavior, clean living, and determination.