Wait and Hope; Or, A Plucky Boy's Luck

"Wait and Hope; Or, A Plucky Boy's Luck" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a novel written in the early 20th century. This story follows the journey of young Ben Bradford, a boy facing economic hardship after losing his job at a factory. The themes of perseverance, hope, and the quest for better opportunities are central to the narrative as Ben navigates various challenges to support his family. The opening of the novel introduces us to Ben's life in Milltown, where he is worrying about losing his job and how it will affect his family, especially his Aunt Jane and his younger cousin, Tony. After finding out he has indeed been laid off, Ben maintains a positive outlook, encouraging his aunt with his motto, "Wait and Hope." Through his determination to seek out work, he engages in various humorous encounters while applying for jobs, showcasing both his optimism and resourcefulness. As Ben starts to explore the possibilities in a broader world beyond his small town, the story sets the stage for his adventures and the challenges he will face ahead. (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.