Ben's Nugget; Or, A Boy's Search For Fortune

by Horatio Alger

"Ben's Nugget; Or, A Boy's Search For Fortune" by Horatio Alger Jr. is a novel written in the late 19th century. It follows the journey of a young boy named Ben Stanton as he searches for fortune in the goldfields of California. The narrative features themes of adventure, friendship, and the pursuit of success while showcasing the challenges faced by miners during that era. The opening of the story sets the stage in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where Ben Stanton and his companion, Jake Bradley, are mining gold on a claim belonging to Richard Dewey, who is laid up with a sprained ankle. Ben and Jake discuss their findings and the prospect of earning a substantial amount of gold-dust, while Dewey expresses his longing to reunite with his betrothed, Florence Douglas. As the story unfolds, the loyal attendant Ki Sing goes missing, leading Ben and Jake to suspect he may have encountered trouble from unscrupulous characters. This unexpected turn hints at potential conflict and adventure as Ben prepares to face the dangers of the mining world.