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Luck and Pluck
Luck and Pluck / or John Oakley's Inheritance
PREFACE
"Luck and Pluck" appeared as a serial story in the juvenile department of Ballou's Magazine for the year 1869, and is therefore already familiar to a very large constituency of young readers. It is now presented in book form, as the first of a series of six volumes, designed to illustrate the truth that a manly spirit is better than the gifts of fortune. Early trial and struggle, as the history of the majority of our successful men abundantly attests, tend to strengthen and invigorate the character.
The author trusts that John Oakley, his young hero, will find many friends, and that his career will not only be followed with interest, but teach a lesson of patient fortitude and resolute endeavor, and a determination to conquer fortune, and compel its smiles. He has no fear that any boy-reader will be induced to imitate Ben Brayton, whose selfishness and meanness are likely to meet a fitting recompense.
New York, Nov. 8, 1869.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCING TWO BOYS AND A HORSE
"What are you going to do with that horse, Ben Brayton?"
"None of your business!"
"As the horse happens to belong to me, I should think it was considerable of my business."
"Suppose you prove that it belongs to you," said Ben, coolly.
"There is no need of proving it. You know it as well as I do."
"At any rate, it doesn't belong to you now," said Ben Brayton.
"I should like to know why not?"
"Because it belongs to me."
"Who gave it to you?"
"My mother."