pes thus to excite a
deeper and more widespread sympathy in the public mind, as well as to
exert a salutary influence upon the class of whom he is writing, by
setting before them inspiring examples of what energy, ambition, and an
honest purpose may achieve, even in their case.

In order to reach as large a number of these boys as possible, the
publisher is authorized, on application, to send a gratuitous copy of
the two volumes of the "Ragged Dick Series" already issued, to any
regularly organized Newsboys' Lodge within the United States.

NEW YORK, _December_, 1868.

FAME AND FORTUNE;
OR, THE
PROGRESS OF RICHARD HUNTER.

CHAPTER I.

A BOARDING-HOUSE IN BLEECKER STREET.

"Well, Fosdick, this is a little better than our old room in Mott
Street," said Richard Hunter, looking complacently about him.

"You're right, Dick," said his friend. "This carpet's rather nicer than
the ragged one Mrs. Mooney supplied us with. The beds are neat and
comfortable, and I feel better satisfied, even if we do have to pay
twice as much for it."

The room which yielded so much satisfaction to the two boys was on the
fourth floor of a boarding-house in Bleecker Street. No doubt many of my
young readers, who are accustomed to elegant homes, would think it very
plain; but neither Richard nor his friend had been used to anything as
good. They had been thrown upon their own exertions at an early age, and
had a hard battle to fight with poverty and ignorance. Those of my
readers who are familiar with Richard Hunter's experiences when he was
"Ragged Dick," will easily understand what a great rise in the world it
was for him to have a really respectable home. For years he had led a
vagabond life about the streets, as a boot-black, sleeping in old
wagons, or boxes, or wherever he could find a lodging gratis. It was
only twelve months since a chance meeting with an intelligent boy caused
him to form the resolution to grow up respectable. By diligent evening
study with Henry Fosdick, whose advantages had been much greater than
his own, assisted by a natural quickness and an unusual aptitude for
learning, he had, in a year, learned to read and write well, and had,
besides, made considerable progress in arithmetic. Still he would have
found it difficult to obtain a situation if he had not been the means of
saving from drowning the young child of Mr. James Rockwell, a wealthy
merchant in business on Pearl Street, who at once, out