The Project Gutenberg EBook of Joe's Luck, by Horatio Alger, Jr.

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: Joe's Luck
Always Wide Awake

Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.

Release Date: July 5, 2004 [EBook #12823]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOE'S LUCK ***

Produced by Al Haines

JOE'S LUCK

OR

ALWAYS WIDE AWAKE

BY

HORATIO ALGER, JR.

AUTHOR OF

"TONY THE TRAMP," "SLOW AND SURE," "THE CASH BOY,"
"MAKING HIS WAY," "JACK'S WARD," "DO AND DARE,"
"FACING THE WORLD," "STRONG AND STEADY,"
"STRIVE AND SUCCEED," ETC.

NEW YORK

THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY

1913

JOE'S LUCK

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCES JOE

"Come here, you Joe, and be quick about it!"

The boy addressed, a stout boy of fifteen, with an honest,
sun-browned face, looked calmly at the speaker.

"What's wanted?" he asked.

"Brush me off, and don't be all day about it!" said Oscar Norton
impatiently.

Joe's blue eyes flashed indignantly at the tone of the other.

"You can brush yourself off," he answered independently.

"What do you mean by your impudence?" demanded Oscar angrily. "Have
you turned lazy all at once?"

"No," said Joe firmly, "but I don't choose to be ordered round by
you."

"What's up, I wonder? Ain't you our servant?"

"I am not your servant, though your father is my employer."

"Then you are bound to obey me--his son."

"I don't see it."

"Then you'd better, if you know what's best for yourself. Are you
going to brush me off?"

"No."

"Look out! I can get my father to turn you off."

"You may try if you want to."

Oscar, much incensed, went to his father to report Joe's
insubordination. While he is absent, a few words of explanation will
enlighten the reader as to Joe's history and present position.

Joe Mason was alone in the world. A year previous he had lost his
father, his only remaining parent, and when the father's affairs were
settled and funeral expenses paid there was found to be just five
dollars left, which was expended for clothing for Joe.

In this emergency Major Norton, a farmer and capitalist, offered to
provide Joe with board and clothes and three months