On Time; or, Bound to Get There

"On Time; or, Bound to Get There" by Oliver Optic is a tale from the past about a young man named Wolfert Penniman, dreaming of striking it rich by buying a sailboat. It’s a story about taking chances, growing up, and learning how to navigate rough waters, both in business and in life. At the heart of the story is Wolf, who wants to buy a money-making boat with his father's help. However, things get really interesting when Wolf meets Waddie Wimpleton, an old enemy, at the boat auction; the two end up battling for the same boat, and their rivalry boils over. A fight breaks out, and the scene closes with Wolf triumphant, setting sail into a world of opportunity and conflict.