Frank Merriwell's First Job; Or, At the Foot of the Ladder

"Frank Merriwell's First Job; Or, At the Foot of the Ladder" by Burt L. Standish tells the tale of a young man named Frank Merriwell who experiences a sudden change in fortune, forcing him to abandon his college life after his guardian's financial missteps leave him without an inheritance. Frank, previously enjoying life as an athlete with a bright future, now faces the task of building a career from the ground up, exploring concepts of ambition and the shift from youthful playfulness to the demands of adult life; the story begins with Frank engaged in a spirited boxing match before news of his misfortune arrives, setting in motion his resolve to confront his challenges, leave behind his former life, and find his own success through hard work and determination.