"Alger Jr, Horatio - Joe the Hotel Boy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alger Horatio Jr)

PREFACE.

A number of years ago the author of this story set out to depict
life among the boys of a great city, and especially among those
who had to make their own way in the world. Among those already
described are the ways of newsboys, match boys, peddlers, street
musicians, and many others.

In the present tale are related the adventures of a country lad
who, after living for some time with a strange hermit, goes forth
into the world and finds work, first in a summer hotel and then
in a large hotel in the city. Joe finds his road no easy one to
travel, and he has to face not a few hardships, but in the end
all turns out well.

It may be added here that many of the happenings told of in this
story, odd as they may seem, are taken from life. Truth is
indeed stranger than fiction, and life itself is full of romance
from start to finish.

If there is a moral to be drawn from this story, it is a twofold
one, namely, that honesty is always the best policy, and that if
one wishes to succeed in life he must stick at his work steadily
and watch every opportunity for advancement.





JOE THE HOTEL BOY.




CHAPTER I.


OUT IN A STORM.


"What do you think of this storm, Joe?"

"I think it is going to be a heavy one, Ned. I wish we were back
home," replied Joe Bodley, as he looked at the heavy clouds which
overhung Lake Tandy.

"Do you think we'll catch much rain before we get back?" And
Ned, who was the son of a rich man and well dressed, looked at