Horatio Alger

“ Richard Hunter bowed to Roswell, as it was his rule never to be found wanting in politeness. Roswell was ill-mannered enough not to return the salutation.
"Who is that, Roswell?" asked Ralph Graham.
"It's a bootblack," said Roswell, sneeringly.
"What do you mean? I am speaking of that nice-looking young fellow that bowed to you just now."
"His name is Hunter. He used to be a bootblack, as I told you; but he's got up in the world, and now he's putting on airs."
"He seems to have got into good company, at any rate. He is walking with the daughter of Mr. Greyson, a rich merchant down town." ”

“ They knew how to behave at the table with perfect decorum, and no one would have judged from their dress, manners, or conversation, that they had not always been accustomed to the same style of living. ”

“ Mr. and Mrs. Greyson noticed with pleasure the great improvement in their proteges, and always welcomed them with kind hospitality. But there was another member of the family who always looked forward with pleasure to seeing them. This was Ida, now a young lady of thirteen, who had from the first taken an especial fancy to Dick, as she always called him.
"Well, Mark," said Richard Hunter, on Sunday morning, "wouldn't you like to go to Sunday school with me?"
"Yes," said Mark. "Mother always wanted me to go to Sunday school, but she was so poor that she could not dress me in suitable clothes." ”