The Bread Line: A Story of a Paper

"The Bread Line: A Story of a Paper" by Albert Bigelow Paine is a tale set in the late 1800s, focusing on four friends—two are artists, and two are writers—who decide to create their own publication called the "Whole Family." The book looks at big ideas, teamwork, and the differences between wanting to be an artist and dealing with real-world problems, showing what life was like for artists during a time when the economy was doing well. The story begins on New Year’s Eve with the friends enjoying a fancy dinner at a cafe, full of hope and friendship. They talk about their dreams and how annoyed they are with the publishing business until one of them, Barrifield, suggests they start their own newspaper with cheap subscriptions, like a paper that already does well. The reader feels the friendship through their jokes and shared goals, but as the story continues, they learn tough lessons about society around them, especially when they see people waiting in line for food. This first part of the book shows what the characters want and suggests the hard times they will face as they start their own business.