Optic, Oliver 1822-1897 creator text utu 2025 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "Rich and Humble: A Story for Young People" by Oliver Optic is a children's novel written in the mid-19th century. It is a moral domestic tale set along the Hudson River, contrasting wealth and character as a compassionate daughter serves the poor while her proud brother falls in with rowdy companions. The story centers on Bertha Grant, her wayward brother Richard, and the waif Noddy Newman, as family fortune and reputation are tested. The opening of the novel introduces the Grant household at Woodville: Bertha seeks funds for her charitable “mission” to the ragged children of nearby Dunk’s Hollow, while Richard, denied money for a boat-race bet, tries to borrow from her and then secretly steals her two half eagles—an act exposed by the faithful boatman, Ben. We see Bertha’s earnest work in the Glen—teaching, outfitting, and caring for poor children—interrupted when the wild boy Noddy Newman falls from a tree into the river; Bertha nurses him through serious injuries, softening his heart. Meanwhile, Richard rescues a man overboard, pockets fifty dollars under a false name, and quietly revives his plan to race Tom Mullen. Their father fails to come home; a letter hints at looming financial ruin. On race day the Greyhound is found sunk, raised by Ben, and we learn Noddy pulled the plug to stop Richard, who goes anyway. Fanny’s party is snubbed, and a shocking newspaper item about their father makes Bertha faint, leaving the family on the brink of calamity. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Release date is 2025-07-18 Aaron Adrignola, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) Originally published: New York: The New York Book Company, 1911 Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction Children -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction Siblings -- Juvenile fiction Charity -- Juvenile fiction Theft -- Juvenile fiction Temptation -- Juvenile fiction Humility -- Juvenile fiction Self-control -- Juvenile fiction PZ New York: The New York Book Company, 1911 https://archive.org/details/richhumblestoryf00adam/ https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76523 https://archive.org/details/richhumblestoryf00adam/ https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76523 UtSlPG 260607 20260610134754.0 76523