Falling in with Fortune; Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary

"Falling in with Fortune; Or, The Experiences of a Young Secretary" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Robert Frost, a young boy who, due to the cruel treatment of his step-father, leaves home to seek independence and fortune in Chicago. Throughout his journey, Robert faces numerous challenges as he navigates his new life, ultimately gaining a position as a private secretary to a wealthy woman, Mrs. Vernon, while also dealing with the dangers posed by a treacherous relative. At the start of the narrative, Robert receives a telegram from his friend Dick Marden, detailing Marden's business trip to California. Shortly after, Robert is unexpectedly fired from his position at a ticket office due to a family obligation of his boss, which leaves him in search of work with dwindling funds. As he struggles to find employment, he inadvertently becomes embroiled in a situation where he is falsely accused of theft in a store. Fortunately, he is exonerated with the help of a clergyman. Following this incident, Robert encounters Mrs. Vernon, who hires him as her private secretary, thus setting the stage for a series of adventures and trials that will test his character and resolve. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Horatio Alger Jr. was an American author who wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security and comfort through good works. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on the United States from 1868 through to his death in 1899.