Chapter I: Introduction: My Dear Boys and Girls

"A YOUNG INVENTOR'S PLUCK" relates the adventures of a wide-awake American lad of a mechanical turn of mind, who suddenly finds himself thrown upon his own resources and compelled to support not only himself, but likewise his sister.

Jack Willington's path is no easy one to tread. The bank in which the sister and brother have their little store of money deposited fails, and with this comes the shutting down of the tool works in which our hero is employed. To add to the lad's troubles, there is a large fire in the town and the youth is accused of incendiarism.

But Jack and his sister Deb are not without friends, and the fact that the boy is an inventor and has almost ready the model of a useful and valuable invention, aids him to secure his release, and then he goes forth to run down his enemies and to solve the mystery connected with a rich family legacy.

Generally speaking, life in a factory town is thought to be dull and monotonous, whereas the truth is, that it is usually full of interest and not devoid of excitement of a peculiar kind. In this tale I have tried to picture life in such a place truthfully, with all of its lights and its shadows, and I hope that my story will prove more or less instructive in consequence.

Affectionately your friend,
ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
THE SHUT DOWN

CHAPTER II.
FOR THE SAKE OF HOME

CHAPTER III.
A RESULT OF A FIRE

CHAPTER IV.
BAD NEWS FOR DEB

CHAPTER V.
FINDING BAIL

CHAPTER VI.
HOME ONCE MORE

CHAPTER VII.
INTO THE RIVER

CHAPTER VIII.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE MODEL

CHAPTER IX.
MR. BENTON MAKES TROUBLE

CHAPTER X.
DRIVEN FROM HOME

CHAPTER XI.
ON THE RIVER ROAD

CHAPTER XII.
JACK'S DANGEROUS POSITION

CHAPTER XIII.
OVER THE FALLS

CHAPTER XIV.
MAX POOLER'S MEG

CHAPTER XV.
THE MISER OF THE ISLAND

CHAPTER XVI.
ON BOARD THE "KITTY"

CHAPTER XVII.
MEG TO THE RESCUE

CHAPTER XVIII.
DEB AT THE MILL

CHAPTER XIX.
IN CORRIGAN'S POWER

CHAPTER XX.
MONT TELLS HIS STORY

CHAPTER XXI.
CORRIGAN MAKES A MOVE

CHAPTER XXII.
HEAPS OF MONEY

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE MISER'S TREASURE

CHAPTER XXIV.
A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST

CHAPTER XXV.
CHASING ANDY MOSEY

CHAPTER XXVI.
PAPERS OF GREAT VALUE