Mark the Match Boy — Horatio Alger Jr.

Mark the Match Boy is the third volume in Alger's Ragged Dick Series. Between the first and third volume, Richard Hunter, or Ragged Dick as he was known, has found a good job and gained some education. Eventually he and a friend help a boy named Mark, who tried to earn a living selling small boxes of matches. Mark becomes Richard's ward. While this is happening, they are trying to locate the grandson of a wealthy man named Hiram Bates. It turns out that Mark is the missing grandson.Horatio Alger was a strong proponent of sound social values. He preached against smoking, drinking and wasting time and money. Two boys in the book show what happens when they don't follow Alger's advice. They have low-paying jobs, and rather than work hard to get ahead, one talks the other into stealing from his employer. Of course, he is caught and loses his job.