Left Behind; Or, Ten Days a Newsboy

"Left Behind; Or, Ten Days a Newsboy" by James Otis is a tale from the end of the 1800s, where a young boy named Paul Weston winds up all alone in New York City after his family accidentally jets off to Europe without him. Paul's world turns upside down, and he meets Johnny and Ben, two savvy street kids who show him the ropes of city life, including selling newspapers and shining shoes for money. At the beginning, Paul explains how he got left behind while searching for a new toy, highlighting his naivety and how different his old life was from the tough situation he is in. The story quickly shifts to his friendship with Johnny and Ben, who trust his story and give him a chance to make a living as a newsboy, which starts him on a path toward independence despite the difficulties of the city. Their bond and the escapades they experience point to the hardships and joys of growing up in a busy urban setting.