Ragged Dick

I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t know anything about Horatio Alger Jr., so I didn’t realise the wealth of good morality books available for boys in the later part of the 1800’s. Due to the kindness of a gentleman and his nephew, Ragged Dick begins to see that he could do better than be a penniless boot black with no fixed abode. After he has offered to show the younger man around New York City, they first give him a cast off suit belonging to the nephew...partially out of generosity and partly because Dick, being quite raggedy in appearance, does not look like the best companion to walk around the city with. So, after getting cleaned up at the hotel, they go off. As Dick shows Frank the sights, Frank, in turn, shows Dick another way of thinking about the way he lives and uses his money. He begins to get the idea that if he would be sensible with his funds earned by boot blacking, he could easily pay to rent a cheap room. When the tour is complete they meet the uncle again, who gives Dick $5. It has been stressed that Dick is an honest boy and he thinks it is too much. But he is given the challenge that when he has done better for himself, he should give the same to help someone else get started. So, Dick considers the situation, and realises he does want to be “ ‘spectable”. As that day brings him other opportunities to make more than usual, he decides to put some of the money in a Savings Bank. Because Dick is generous as well, even previously using any extra money to treat his friends to a meal, over the next few days he helps a young lad who is supporting his family. He also invites another lad, Fosdick, to room with him. Fosdick has more of an education, his contribution is to teach Dick to read and write. And so, the two lads begin to improve themselves, especially motivated by Dick. And it seems, along with his own efforts to do better, he finds some luck coming with it. The reader was ok, but just a bit too squeaky...grating on the ear. However, she keeps the story alive, even though a good portion of it is basically conversation.