"My child!" he exclaimed in anguish, -- "who will save my child? A
thousand -- ten thousand dollars to any one who will save him!"
[Not hearing the offer, Ragged Dick jumps in the water, motivated by
human compassion and saves the little boy. How does he collect his
"ten thousand dollars" reward?]
1. "My brave boy, I owe you a debt I can never repay. But for your timely
service I should now be plunged into an anguish which I cannot think of
without a shudder."
2. "Please accept this outfit of clothes as the first instalment of
a debt which I can never repay. I have asked to have your wet suit
dried, when you can reclaim it. Will you oblige me by calling
to-morrow at my counting room, No. -- , Pearl Street.
3. "My young friend," he said, "you have done me so great service
that I wish to be of some service to you in return."
"How would you like to enter my counting-room as clerk, Richard?"
[Dick accepts.]
"Then you may consider yourself engaged at a salary of ten dollars a
week."
Let's do the math. Ten dollars a week is $520 a year or roughly 5% annual
interest on the "$10,000" debt which the father/capitalist "can never
repay". Except that Dick has to work for it. Right off the bat Dick has
been cheated by Mr. Bigmouth Moneybags.
Maybe Horatio Alger was trying to make a statement about the
trustworthyness of capitalists.
Temps Walker
Sandwichman and Deconsultant
