"The Fairchilds; or, 'Do What You Can'" by Lucy Ellen Guernsey, is a touching story about a young man named Eben Fairchild, who was adopted. After Mr. Fairchild passes away, Eben feels like he has to give up his own plans in order to take care of his adoptive mother and sister. The family is having money problems because of Mr. Fairchild's debts, so Eben decides to find a job to help out. He shows that he's responsible and caring by putting his family's needs before his own dreams of going to college. The story shows how the family deals with tough times and how much they love and support each other as Eben grows up and figures out what's important in life.

The Fairchilds : $b or, "Do what you can"
By Lucy Ellen Guernsey
A selfless young man must abandon his dreams to support his family after a devastating loss leaves them in financial ruin.
Summary
About the AuthorLucy Ellen Guernsey was a 19th-century American author who lived in Rochester, New York. She was a strong proponent of early education and moral development in children, although she never had children of her own. Throughout her most productive years (1855β85) she wrote over 60 novels, most of which were published by the American Sunday School Union. She was an active member of the Rochester community; she founded the first sewing school for working-class children and was involved establishing the Home for Aged Women. She edited a popular religious publication, The Parish Visitor, taught an adult biblical class for Sunday School, and was the president of the Christ Church Missionary Society (1881β85).
Lucy Ellen Guernsey was a 19th-century American author who lived in Rochester, New York. She was a strong proponent of early education and moral development in children, although she never had children of her own. Throughout her most productive years (1855β85) she wrote over 60 novels, most of which were published by the American Sunday School Union. She was an active member of the Rochester community; she founded the first sewing school for working-class children and was involved establishing the Home for Aged Women. She edited a popular religious publication, The Parish Visitor, taught an adult biblical class for Sunday School, and was the president of the Christ Church Missionary Society (1881β85).