Posted to Wiretap in August 1993, as strugup.txt.

Italics are represented as _italics_.

This text is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN.

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From the book "Ragged Dick and Struggling Upward", published
by Penguin Books, 1985. Ragged Dick was first published in the
United States by A.K. Loring, 1868. The Introduction written
by Carl Bode is not included in this etext, and is (c)1985 by
Viking Penguin, Inc., all rights reserved. The text itself
is not copyright, and this etext is public domain.

STRUGGLING UPWARD

CHAPTER I
THE WATERBURY WATCH

One Saturday afternoon in January a lively and animated
group of boys were gathered on the western side of a large pond
in the village of Groveton.  Prominent among them was a tall,
pleasant-looking young man of twenty-two, the teacher of the
Center Grammar School, Frederic Hooper, A.B., a recent graduate
of Yale College.  Evidently there was something of importance
on foot.  What it was may be learned from the words of the teacher.

"Now, boys," he said, holding in his hand a Waterbury watch,
of neat pattern, "I offer this watch as a prize to the boy who will
skate across the pond and back in the least time.  You will all
start together, at a given signal, and make your way to the mark
which I have placed at the western end of the lake, skate around
it, and return to this point.  Do you fully understand?"

"Yes, sir!" exclaimed the boys, unanimously.

Before proceeding, it may be well to refer more particularly
to some of the boys who were to engage in the contest.

First, in his own estimation, came Randolph Duncan, son
of Prince Duncan, president of the Groveton Bank, and a
prominent town official.  Prince Duncan was supposed to be
a rich man, and lived in a style quite beyond that of his neighbors. 
Randolph was his only son, a boy of sixteen, and felt that in
social position and blue blood he was without a peer in the village. 
He was a tall, athletic boy, and disposed to act the part of boss
among the Groveton boys.

Next came a boy similar in age and physical strength, but
in other respects very different from the young aristocrat. 
This was Luke Larkin, the son of a carpenter's widow, living on
narrow means, and so compelled to exercise the strictest economy. 
Luke worked where he could, helping the farmers in hay-time,
and ready to do odd jobs for any one in the village who desired
his services.  He filled the position of janitor at the school
which he attended, sweeping out twice a week and making the fires. 
He had a pleasant expression, and a bright, resolute look,
a warm heart, and a clear intellect, and was probably, in spite
of his poverty, the most popular boy in Groveton.  In this respect
he was the opposite of Randolph Duncan, whose assumption of
superiority and desire to "boss" the other boys prevented him
from having any real friends.  He had two or three companions,
who flattered him and submitted to his caprices because they
thought it looked well to be on good terms with the young aristocrat.

These two boys were looked upon as the chief contestants
for the prize offered by their teacher.  Opinions differed as to
which would win.

"I think Luke will get the watch," said Fred Acken, a younger boy.

"I don't know about that," said Tom Harper.  "Randolph skates
just as well, and he has a pair of club skates.  His father sent
to New York for them last week.  They're beauties, I tell you. 
Randolph says they cost ten dollars."

"Of course that gives him the advantage," said Percy Hall. 
"Look at Luke's old-fashioned wooden skates!  They would be
dear at fifty cents!"

"It's a pity Luke hasn't a better pair," said Harry Wright. 
"I don't think the contest is a fair one.  Luke ought to have an
allowance of twenty rods, to make up for the difference in skates."

"He wouldn't accept it," said Linton Tomkins, the son of
a manufacturer in Groveton, who was an intimate friend of Luke,
and preferred to associate with him, though Randolph had made
advances toward intimacy, Linton being the only boy in the
village whom he regarded as his social equal.  "I offered him my
club skates, but he said he would take the chances with his own."

Linton was the only boy who had a pair of skates equal to Randolph's. 
He, too, was a contestant, but, being three years younger than
Luke and Randolph, had no expectation of rivaling them.

Randolph had his friends near him, administering the adulation
he so much enjoyed.

"I have no doubt you'll get the watch, Randolph," said Sam Noble.