Horatio Alger

“ It was a boiled dinner that the farmer's wife provided, corned beef and vegetables, but the plebeian meal seemed to Carl the best he ever ate. Afterwards there was apple pudding, to which he did equal justice.
"I never knew work improved a fellow's appetite so," reflected the young traveler. "I never ate with so much relish at home."
After dinner they went back to the field and worked till the supper hour, five o'clock. By that time all the hay had been put into the barn. ”

“ Carl's experience, however, had been very limited. He had, to be sure, had a rake in his hand, but probably he had not worked more than ten minutes at it. However, raking is easily learned, and his want of experience was not detected. He started off with great enthusiasm, but after a while thought it best to adopt the more leisurely movements of the farmer. After two hours his hands began to blister, but still he kept on.
"I have got to make my living by hard work," he said to himself, "and it won't do to let such a little thing as a blister interfere." ”

“ Mis' Perkins"--that was the way he addressed his wife--"this is a young chap that I've hired to help me hayin'. You can set a chair for him at the table."
"All right, Silas. He don't look very old, though." ”