Horatio Alger

“ I would like to look at some books of fairy stories."
"For your own reading, I suppose," said Roswell.
"I may read them, but I am getting them for my ward."
"Is he a boot-black?" sneered Roswell, who knew all about Dick's early career.
"No," said Richard, "he's a match boy; so if you've got any books that you can warrant to be just the thing for match boy, I should like to see them."
"We don't have many customers of that class," said Roswell, unpleasantly. "They generally go to cheaper establishments, when they are able to read."
"Do they?" said Dick. ”

“ That, with nourising food and freedom from exposure, will soon bring him round again."
"He shall have all these."
"I suppose you know him, as you take so much interest in him?"
"No, I never saw him but once before today, but I am able to befriend him, and he has no other friends."
"There are not many young men who would take all this trouble about a poor match boy," said the doctor.
"It's because they don't know how how hard it is to be friendless and neglected," said Dick. "I've known that feeling, and it makes me pity those who are in the same condition I once was." ”

“ Richard Hunter soon explained matters to Mrs. Wilson, to whom he offered to pay an extra weekly sum for Mark, and arranged that a small single bed should be placed in one corner of the room temporarily in which the match boy should sleep. He sleedily reappeared with a bowl of broth, a cup of tea, and some dry toast. The sight of these caused the match boy's eyes to brighten, and he was able to do very good justice to all. ”