Publisher's Synopsis
Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks by Jr. Horatio Alger
Ragged Dick's text is based on the 1868 first edition of the book, annotated for student readers. "Contexts" begins by looking at Ragged Dick through the lens of 1860's New York and Alger's life there. Ragged Dick is a 14-year-old licker - he smokes, drinks occasionally and sleeps on the street - but he is anxious "to move on and try to grow" spectable. "He will not steal under any circumstances and many gentlemen who are impressed by this virtue (and from his determination to succeed) offer their help. Mr. Greyson, for example, invites him to church and Mr. Whitney gives him five dollars to perform a service. Dick uses the money to open a bank account and to rent his First apartment. He increases his bank balance by practicing frugality and is educated by his roommate Fosdick in the three Rs. When Dick rescues a drowning child, his grateful father rewards him with a new suit and a job at his merchant company. With this final event, Richard is "cut off from the old wandering life he hoped never to get back" and will henceforth be called Richard Hunter, Esq.
