Sink or Swim; or, Harry Raymond's Resolve

A spirited adolescent of modest means confronts class snobbery, school rivalry, and a succession of hardships while relying on thrift, earnestness, and steady industry. Episodes follow his public performances, conflicts with better-dressed peers, and practical tests of character that require resolve and self-reliance. Guided by a family example of perseverance, he accepts responsibility, meets misfortune with courage, and gradually improves his circumstances. The narrative emphasizes that pluck, integrity, and hardworking habits, rather than inherited advantages, produce moral growth and eventual material reward.