The New York Dime Library No. 1079

A Fight for Fortune This serial by Captain Fred Whittaker, "A Story of Labor and Capital," follows Larry Locke, a stunted twelve-year-old tramp who leaves an almshouse for Holesburg seeking work in the steel mills. After receiving silver coins from a wealthy young gentleman in a dog-cart, Larry is ambushed by three tramps on the road who covet his newfound money. He defeats the leader with a stone to the face and escapes into town. There he befriends Molly Taber, a freckle-faced goat-herder who directs him to Mrs. Skelly's home near Skinner's steel-works. Mr. Skelly, a furnaceman, dismisses Larry's ambition to become an iron man as ridiculous given his diminutive stature, though Larry insists he can outwork any boy his age at ore-shoveling duties.