Chester Rand; or, The New Path to Fortune

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23108

Title

Chester Rand; or, The New Path to Fortune

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this classic tale of self-made success, a hardworking boy named Chester Rand loses his job due to his employer's stinginess. Forced to seek new opportunities, he discovers a talent for illustration and travels West to invest in land. Through integrity, skill, and perseverance, Chester rises from poverty to prosperity, proving that fortune favors the industrious and honest.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the Pennsylvania town of Wyncombe, Chester Rand is a fifteen-year-old clerk at the store of miserly Silas Tripp. When Chester's mother loses her sewing income, he requests a raise, but Tripp, falsely claiming poverty despite owning significant wealth, offers to replace him with a cheaper worker. Humiliated, Chester leaves his job and takes odd jobs, such as shoveling snow, to support his family. His talent for drawing is discovered by gambler Dick Ralston, who introduces him to the real estate world in New York City. There, Chester meets Paul Perkins, an artist who recognizes his potential. Chester begins selling sketches to magazines like *Puck* and *The Phoenix*, earning significantly more than his previous salary. While working in New York, he also invests in land in Tacoma, Washington, anticipating a future railroad boom. He travels West to inspect the property and eventually sells the lots for a substantial profit. Meanwhile, a subplot involving Edward Granger, presumed drowned, is resolved when he is revealed to be alive, reuniting him with his mother and exposing the treachery of his stepfather. Chester returns to Wyncombe a changed man, having saved money and gained confidence. Silas Tripp, now facing his own financial troubles, attempts to rehire Chester, but the young man has already achieved success in New York. The novel concludes with Chester financially secure, maintaining his modesty and kindness, while his former employer remains unaware of the secret to his success. The narrative emphasizes themes of integrity, the rewards of hard work, and the dangers of greed.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23108.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg23108.epub

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2026-07-04 07:30 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction