Risen from the Ranks

Risen from the Ranks

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Title: Risen from the Ranks Harry Walton's Success
Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.
Release Date: June 25, 2004 [EBook #12741]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RISEN
FROM THE RANKS ***

Produced by Al Haines

RISEN FROM THE RANKS,
OR,
HARRY WALTON'S SUCCESS.

BY
HORATIO ALGER, JR.,
AUTHOR OF "RAGGED DICK," "TATTERED TOM," "LUCK AND
PLUCK," "BRAVE AND BOLD" SERIES.

1874.

To
THOMAS E. BARRY,
of the
BOSTON BAR,
THIS VOLUME
INSCRIBED WITH FRIENDLY REGARD

PREFACE.
"Risen from the Ranks" contains the further history of Harry Walton,
who was first introduced to the public in the pages of "Bound to Rise."
Those who are interested in learning how far he made good the promise
of his boyhood, may here find their curiosity gratified. For the benefit
of those who may only read the present volume, a synopsis of Harry's
previous life is given in the first chapter.
In describing Harry's rise from the ranks I have studiously avoided the
extraordinary incidents and pieces of good luck, which the story writer
has always at command, being desirous of presenting my hero's career
as one which may be imitated by the thousands of boys similarly placed,

who, like him, are anxious to rise from the ranks. It is my hope that this
story, suggested in part by the career of an eminent American editor,
may afford encouragement to such boys, and teach them that "where
there is a will there is always a way."
New York, October 1874.

RISEN FROM THE RANKS;
OR,
HARRY WALTON'S SUCCESS.
CHAPTER I.
HARRY WALTON.
"I am sorry to part with you, Harry," said Professor Henderson. "You
have been a very satisfactory and efficient assistant, and I shall miss
you."
"Thank you, sir," said Harry. "I have tried to be faithful to your
interests."
"You have been so," said the Professor emphatically. "I have had
perfect confidence in you, and this has relieved me of a great deal of
anxiety. It would have been very easy for one in your position to cheat
me out of a considerable sum of money."
"It was no credit to me to resist such a temptation as that," said Harry.
"I am glad to hear you say so, but it shows your inexperience
nevertheless. Money is the great tempter nowadays. Consider how
many defalcations and breaches of trust we read of daily in confidential
positions, and we are forced to conclude that honesty is a rarer virtue
than we like to think it. I have every reason to believe that my assistant
last winter purloined, at the least, a hundred dollars, but I was unable to

prove it, and submitted to the loss. It may be the same next winter.
Can't I induce you to change your resolution, and remain in my employ?
I will advance your pay."
"Thank you, Professor Henderson," said Harry gratefully. "I appreciate
your offer, even if I do not accept it. But I have made up mind to learn
the printing business."
"You are to enter the office of the 'Centreville Gazette,' I believe."
"Yes, sir."
"How much pay will you get?"
"I shall receive my board the first month, and for the next six months
have agreed to take two dollars a week and board."
"That won't pay your expenses."
"It must," said Harry, firmly.
"You have laid up some money while with me, haven't you!"
"Yes, sir; I have fifty dollars in my pocket-book, besides having given
eighty dollars at home."
"That is doing well, but you won't be able to lay up anything for the
next year."
"Perhaps not in money, but I shall be gaining the knowledge of a good
trade."
"And you like that better than remaining with me, and learning my
business?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, perhaps you are right. I don't fancy being a magician myself; but
I am too old to change. I like moving round, and I make a good living

for my family. Besides I contribute to the innocent amusement of the
public, and earn my money fairly."
"I agree with you, sir," said Harry. "I think yours is a useful
employment, but it would not suit everybody. Ever since I read the life
of Benjamin Franklin, I have wanted to learn to be a printer."
"It is an excellent business, no doubt, and if you have made up your
mind I will not dissuade you. When