"I am going fishing, Randy. Do you want to go along?" "With pleasure, Jack," answered Randy Thompson, a bright, manly youth of fourteen. "Are you going on foot or in your boat?" "I think we might as well take the boat," returned Jack Bartlett, a boy who was but a few months older than Randy. "Have you your lines handy?" "No, but I can get them in less than ten minutes." "All right. Meet me at the dock in quarter of an hour. I was thinking of going up the river to Landy's Hole. That's a good spot, isn't it?" "I think so. Last season I was up there and caught fourteen good-sized fish." "They tell me you are one of the best fishermen in Riverport, Randy," went on Jack Bartlett, admiringly. "What is the secret of your success?" "I don't know unless it is patience," answered Randy, with a broad smile. "To catch fish you must be patient. Now when I caught my mess of fourteen two other boys were up to the Hole. But just because the fish did not bite right away they moved away, further up the river. But by doing that they got only about half as many as myself." "Well, I am willing to be patient if I know I am going to catch something." At this Randy laughed outright. "You can't be sure of anything-in fishing. But I always reckon it's a good thing to hold on and give a thing a fair trial." "I reckon you're right, Randy, and I'll give the fishing a fair trial to-day," answered Jack Bartlett. "Remember, the dock in quarter of an hour," he added, as he moved away. Horatio Alger, Jr. (January 13, 1832 – July 18, 1899) was a prolific 19th-century American author, best known for his many juvenile novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on America during the Gilded Age. Alger's name is often invoked incorrectly as though he himself rose from rags to riches, but that arc applied to his characters, not to the author. Essentially, all of Alger's novels share the same theme: a young boy struggles through hard work to escape poverty. Critics, however, are quick to point out that it is not the hard work itself that rescues the boy from his fate, but rather some extraordinary act of bravery or honesty, which brings him into contact with a wealthy elder gentleman, who takes the boy in as a ward. The boy might return a large sum of money that was lost or rescue someone from an overturned carriage, bringing the boy—and his plight—to the attention of some wealthy individual. It has been suggested that this reflects Alger's own patronizing attitude to the boys he tried to help.

In 'Larry Dexter and the Stolen Boy; or, A Young Reporter on the Lakes' by Howard Roger Garis, readers are transported to the thrilling world of young Larry Dexter as he embarks on a suspenseful adventure to uncover the mystery of a stolen boy. Written in a fast-paced and engaging style, the book combines elements of mystery, friendship, and courage, making it a captivating read for audiences of all ages. Set against the backdrop of the Great Lakes, Garis masterfully intertwines the essence of the lakes with the protagonist's quest for truth, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and plot twists. This book is a prime example of early 20th-century American children's literature, offering readers a glimpse into the literary landscape of the time. Howard Roger Garis, a prolific author known for his contributions to children's literature, brings his expertise to this tale, infusing it with charm and excitement. With his storytelling prowess, Garis creates a memorable and endearing protagonist in Larry Dexter, enticing readers to follow his adventures and cheer him on in his quest for justice. Fans of classic children's literature and mystery novels will delight in 'Larry Dexter and the Stolen Boy' for its timeless appeal, captivating storyline, and well-crafted characters.

This work is the only comprehensive guide to sequels in English, with over 84,000 works by 12,500 authors in 17,000 sequences.

Tells of adventures on the mighty Mississippi River as well as the Great Plains, as Dick, Tom, Sam and some of their friends have a variety of adventures and assist in unraveling a mystery surrounding a lonely ranch.