The Store Boy

"The Store Boy" by Horatio Alger Jr. is a tale from a time when overcoming hardship was a popular theme, and it follows Ben Barclay, a diligent young man working at a grocery store to support his widowed mother, as he confronts a threatening tramp and deals with his rich competitor, Tom Davenport. From the start, Ben must use his wits to protect his employer's money from a menacing tramp and later shares a friendly moment with Rose Gardiner, a girl he likes. As Ben works hard to secure his family's home, which is at risk of being lost due to financial pressure from the wealthy Squire Davenport—the book highlights themes such as courage, morality, and challenges related to differences in social class.