Have you ever thought about what fiction is? Probably, such a question may seem surprising: and so everything is clear. Every person throughout his life has to repeatedly create the works he needs for specific purposes - statements, autobiographies, dictations - using not gypsum or clay, not musical notes, not paints, but just a word. At the same time, almost every person will be very surprised if he is told that he thereby created a work of fiction, which is very different from visual art, music and sculpture making. However, everyone understands that a student's essay or dictation is fundamentally different from novels, short stories, news that are created by professional writers. In the works of professionals there is the most important difference - excogitation. But, oddly enough, in a school literature course, you don’t realize the full power of fiction. So using our website in your free time discover fiction for yourself. Joe the Hotel Boy; Or, Winning out by Pluck by Pluck by Jr. Horatio Alger (best book series to read .txt) 📖
- Author: Pluck by Jr. Horatio Alger
Book online «Joe the Hotel Boy; Or, Winning out by Pluck by Pluck by Jr. Horatio Alger (best book series to read .txt) 📖». Author Pluck by Jr. Horatio Alger
WINNING OUT BY PLUCK
By Horatio Alger, Jr.
CONTENTS
PREFACE.
JOE THE HOTEL BOY.
CHAPTER I. -- OUT IN A STORM.
CHAPTER II. -- A MYSTERIOUS CONVERSATION.
CHAPTER III. -- A HOME IN RUINS.
CHAPTER IV. -- THE SEARCH FOR THE BLUE BOX.
CHAPTER V. -- A NEW SUIT OF CLOTHES.
CHAPTER VI. -- AN ACCIDENT ON THE LAKE.
CHAPTER VII. -- BLOWS AND KIND DEEDS.
CHAPTER VIII. -- THE TIMID MR. GUSSING.
CHAPTER IX. -- AN UNFORTUNATE OUTING.
CHAPTER X. -- DAVID BALL FROM MONTANA.
CHAPTER XI. -- A FRUITLESS CHASE.
CHAPTER XII. -- THE PARTICULARS OF A SWINDLE.
CHAPTER XIII. -- OFF FOR THE CITY.
CHAPTER XIV. -- A SCENE ON THE TRAIN.
CHAPTER XV. -- WHAT HAPPENED TO JOSIAH BEAN.
CHAPTER XVI. -- A MATTER OF SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS.
CHAPTER XVII. -- JOE'S NEW POSITION.
CHAPTER XVIII. -- JOE SHOWS HIS MUSCLE.
CHAPTER XIX. -- ONE KIND OF A DUEL.
CHAPTER XX. -- ATTACKED IN THE DARK.
CHAPTER XXI. -- DAYS AT THE HOTEL.
CHAPTER XXII. -- ABOUT SOME MINING SHARES.
CHAPTER XXIII. -- THE FIRE AT THE HOTEL.
CHAPTER XXIV. -- THE BLUE BOX AT LAST.
CHAPTER XXV. -- JOE VISITS CHICAGO.
CHAPTER XXVI. -- HOW A SATCHEL DISAPPEARED.
CHAPTER XXVII. -- JOE MAKES A DISCOVERY.
CHAPTER XXVIII. -- FROM OUT OF A TREE.
CHAPTER XXIX. -- THE FATE OF TWO EVILDOERS.
CHAPTER XXX. -- CONCLUSION.
A number of years ago the author of this story set out to depict life among the boys of a great city, and especially among those who had to make their own way in the world. Among those already described are the ways of newsboys, match boys, peddlers, street musicians, and many others.
In the present tale are related the adventures of a country lad who, after living for some time with a strange hermit, goes forth into the world and finds work, first in a summer hotel and then in a large hotel in the city. Joe finds his road no easy one to travel, and he has to face not a few hardships, but in the end all turns out well.
It may be added here that many of the happenings told of in this story, odd as they may seem, are taken from life. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction, and life itself is full of romance from start to finish.
If there is a moral to be drawn from this story, it is a twofold one, namely, that honesty is always the best policy, and that if one wishes to succeed in life he must stick at his work steadily and watch every opportunity for advancement.
JOE THE HOTEL BOY.
CHAPTER I.
OUT IN A STORM.
“What do you think of this storm, Joe?”
“I think it is going to be a heavy one, Ned. I wish we were back home,” replied Joe Bodley, as he looked at the heavy clouds which overhung Lake Tandy.
“Do you think we'll catch much rain before we get back?” And Ned, who was the son of a rich man and well dressed, looked at the new suit of clothes that he wore.
“I'm afraid we shall, Ned. Those black clouds back of Mount Sam mean something.” “If this new suit gets soaked it will be ruined,” grumbled Ned, and gave a sigh.
“I am sorry for the suit, Ned; but I didn't think it was going to rain when we started.”
“Oh, I am not blaming you, Joe. It looked clear enough this morning. Can't we get to some sort of shelter before the rain reaches us?”
“We can try.”
“Which is the nearest shelter?”
Joe Bodley mused for a moment.
“The nearest that I know of is over at yonder point, Ned. It's an old hunting lodge that used to belong to the Cameron family. It has been deserted for several years.”
“Then let us row for that place, and be quick about it,” said Ned Talmadge. “I am not going to get wet if I can help it.”
As he spoke he took up a pair of oars lying in the big rowboat he and Joe Bodley occupied. Joe was already rowing and the rich boy joined in, and the craft was headed for the spot Joe had pointed out.
The lake was one located in the central part of the State of Pennsylvania. It was perhaps a mile wide and more than that long, and surrounded by mountains and long ranges of hills. At the lower end of the lake was a small settlement of scant importance and at the upper end, where there was a stream of no mean size, was the town of Riverside. At Riverside were situated several summer hotels and boarding houses, and also the elegant mansion in which Ned Talmadge resided, with his parents and his four sisters.
Joe Bodley was as poor as Ned Talmadge was rich, yet the two lads were quite friendly. Joe knew a good deal about hunting and fishing, and also knew all about handling boats. They frequently went out together, and Ned insisted upon paying the poorer boy for all extra services.
Joe's home was located on the side of the mountain which was just now wrapped in such dark and ominous looking clouds. He lived with Hiram Bodley, an old man who was a hermit. The home consisted of a cabin of two rooms, scantily furnished. Hiram Bodley had been a hunter and guide, but
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