Born to Good Luck; or The Boy Who Succeeded.

"Born to Good Luck; or The Boy Who Succeeded" by a Self-made Man is a serialized adventure story probably written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around a young boy named Dick Armstrong, who works under poor conditions for the Maslin family and has become a victim of bullying and injustice. After a series of confrontations, including accusations of theft and mistreatment, Dick decides to strike out on his own in search of a better life. The opening of the story introduces Dick as he endures a confrontation with Luke Maslin, the storekeeper's son, who bullies him about his status as a "charity boy." Following an escalating conflict, which involves physical altercations and a false accusation of theft against him by Silas Maslin, Dick resolves to run away. He later teams up with his friend Joe Fletcher, embarking on a series of adventures that involve gathering apples, uncovering a robbery plot against a miserly old man, and ultimately aiming to establish his independence and success in the world. This initial portion sets the stage for themes of resilience, the pursuit of fortune, and moral dilemmas that Dick faces in his quest for a better station in life.