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

Mr. Polk, said Randy, it was not my fault, and I shall not stand for the damage done. —p. 223.
The majority of stories for boys have their background laid either in the city or the country, or possibly on the ocean, and we have read much about the doings of lads both rich and poor in such locations.
In the present tale we have 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. It is better to do what one finds to do than to fold your hands and remain idle, and the idle boy is sure, sooner or later, to get into serious mischief.
RANDY OF THE RIVER
CHAPTER I
SOMETHING ABOUT RANDY
I am going fishing, Randy. Do you want to go along?
With pleasure, Jack, answered Randy Thompson, a bright, manly youth of fourteen. Are you going on foot or in your boat?
I think we might as well take the boat, returned Jack Bartlett, a boy who was but a few months older than Randy. Have you your lines handy?
No, but I can get them in less than ten minutes.
All right. Meet me at the dock in quarter of an hour. I was thinking of going up the river to Landy's Hole. That's a good spot, isn't it?