Horatio Alger wrote 135 dime novels in the latter part of the 19th century. His stories were rags to riches stories illustrating how down-and-out boys might be able to achieve the American Dream. Alger's stories empathize the need for hard work and honesty as a way to get ahead. Ragged Dick was his first novel published in 1867. Luke Larkin is cheated of certain victory in an ice skating race by the son of a local bank President. When the president's integrity is questioned, Luke participates in the investigation.