Randy of the River; Or, The Adventures of a Young Deckhand

*** Original and Unabridged Content. Made available by GOLDEN CLASSIC PRESS***

Synopsis:
Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people may imagine, but Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was offered. Randy escapes a bad home life to work hard on a steamship and finds lessons in life and success - and there are lots of lessons. Here is the classic American novel from the greatest inspirational writer of all time! Randy of the River by Horatio Alger tells the story of a youth of sturdy qualities who elects to follow the calling of a deckhand on a Hudson River steamboat, doing his duty faithfully day by day, and trying to help others as well as himself. Like all other boys he is at times tempted to do wrong, but he has a heart of gold even though it is hidden by a somewhat ragged outer garment, and in the end proves the truth of that old saying that it pays to be honest, -not only in regard to others but also regarding one's self. Life on a river steamboat is not so romantic as some young people may imagine. There is hard work and plenty of it, and the remuneration is not of the best. But Randy Thompson wanted work and took what was offered. His success in the end was well deserved, and perhaps the lesson his doings teach will not be lost upon those who peruse these pages. This is one of the several stories left by the late Horatio Alger, Jr., at his death, and is one of his strongest. Randy is a bright and natural lad, and his adventures are largely such as might fall to the lot of any youth similarly placed. Life on a Hudson River steamer is well described, and one cannot but help become interested in a number of the travelers, and in the young deckhand who did his duty faithfully under some trying circumstances. Several scenes are in fact extremely amusing.