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Richard Dare's Venture By: Edward Stratemeyer (1862-1930) |
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OR STRIKING OUT FOR HIMSELF
BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER
Author of Oliver Bright's Search, To Alaska For Gold,
The Last Cruise Of The Spitfire, Shorthand Tom, Etc. PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION.
"Richard Dare's Venture," although a complete story in itself, forms
the initial volume of the "Bound to Succeed" Series, a line of books
written primarily for boys, but which it would seem not only girls but
also persons of mature age have taken up with more or less interest. The story relates the adventures of a country youth who comes to New
York to seek his fortune, just as many country lads have done in the
past and many are likely to do in the future. Richard feels that there
is nothing for him to do in the sleepy village in which he resides,
and that he must "strike out for himself," and he does so, with no
cash capital to speak of, but with plenty of true American backbone,
and with the firm conviction that if he does his duty as he finds it,
and watches his chances, he will be sure to make a place for himself. Richard finds life in the metropolis no bed of roses, and when he at
length gains a footing he is confronted by many a snare and pitfall.
But, thanks to the Christian teachings of the best of mothers, and his
natural uprightness of character, he escapes these evils, and gives
a practical teaching of the Biblical admonition of "returning evil
with good." When the first edition of this work was placed on the market several
years ago, the author had hoped that it would receive some notice; but
he was hardly prepared for the warm reception which readers and critics
alike all over the country accorded it. For this enthusiasm he is
profoundly grateful. The street scenes in New York have been
particularly commended; the author would add that these are not
fictitious, but are taken from life. EDWARD STRATEMEYER. NEWARK, N.J., March 1, 1899.
CONTENTS I. A Serious Accident II. Bitter Moments III. Preparing to Start IV. On the Train V. The Smash up VI. Under Suspicion VII. The End of the Journey VIII. The "Watch Below" IX. Locked Out X. The First Night in New York XI. Robbed XII. On the Search XIII. Richard Calls on Mr. Joyce XIV. Work Obtained XV. New Quarters XVI. Pep XVII. Getting Acquainted XVIII. A Strange Situation XIX. The Laurel Club XX. Trouble Brewing XXI. Richard in Trouble XXII. Richard Visits Mr. Joyce Again XXIII. Strange Discoveries XXIV. Pep's Home XXV. Tom Clover XXVI. A Scene in the Stock room XXVII. A Fire and its Result XXVIII. A Lucky Resolve XXIX. Frank's Idea XXX. Mr. Martin's Clerks XXXI. Tom Clover's Statement XXXII. The Firm of Massanet and Dare
CHAPTER I. A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
"It is high time, mother, that I found something to do. Father seems
to be worse, and I'm afraid before long he won't be able to go to work
every day. Ever since I finished schooling I've felt like a fish out
of water." And stowing away the remainder of the slice of bread he was eating,
Richard Dare leaned back in his chair and gazed inquiringly across the
breakfast table to where his mother stood, ready to clear away the
dishes when he had finished his meal. "I'm sure you have been busy enough, Richard," responded Mrs. Dare
fondly. "I am well satisfied with the way you have planted the garden;
and no carpenter could have made a neater job of the front fence. You
haven't wasted your time." "Oh, I don't mean that. Fixing up around the house is well enough. But
I mean some regular work some position where I could bring home my
weekly wages. I know it would be a big help all around. It takes a
heap of money to run a family of three girls and a growing boy." Mrs. Dare smiled sadly. "What do you know about that?" she asked. "We all have enough to eat
and drink, and our own roof over our heads." "Yes, but I know that my dear mother sits up sewing sometimes long
after we have gone to bed, so that our clothing may be cared for, and
I know that she hasn't had a new dress in a year, though she deserves
a dozen," added Richard heartily... Continue reading book >>
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