isten to it and less frequently make any practical
application of it. Imitative by nature, they are easily influenced by
those with whom they associate, and no associate, in my opinion, has
so strong a grasp upon them as the hero of some much prized book. He
becomes a real being to their young, healthy imagination--their ideal
of manliness, bravery, generosity, and nobility. He enters into their
lives, their sports, their adventures, their kind acts, a companion, a
model so much idealized and admired that unconsciously they grow to be
like him in so far as their surroundings will permit. In a good story
plot and action are but the setting to the gem--the means of conveying a
lesson in disguise in such a way that the reader will not suspect he is
being taught. Let it once occur to him that he is reading a lecture and
the book will at once be quietly but most effectually packed away. Many
authors, it seems to me, fail in their purpose by devoting too much
time to the gem and too little to the setting. Others go too far the
other way and write stories that give young readers a wrong idea of
life--stories whose heroes do improbable and unnatural acts. While my
purpose has been to make THE BOY BROKER interesting I have aimed to give
a true idea of life in a great city. So much nonsense of a misleading
character has been written about benevolent old gentlemen who help poor
boys from the country that I have sought to turn the light of fact on
the subject and picture a little real life--about such life as a boy may
expect to find if he comes to New York friendless and alone. He might
find it much worse; he could not wisely hope to find it better.

FRANK A. MUNSEY.
NEW YORK, _September, 1888_.

CONTENTS

PAGE
I An Introduction to the Great City 11
II An Effort to Obtain Employment 20
III An Evening with Bob Hunter 26
IV At Mr. Goldwin's Office 34
V The Contest Between Herbert and Felix 41
VI A Ray of Sunshine 50
VII Bob Hunter Thoroughly Aroused 57
VIII Felix Mortimer at the Bank 65
IX Bob Assumes a Disguise 75
X Something About Herbert Randolph 83
XI Imprisoned at the Fence 87
XII Bob's Brilliant Move 94
XIII A T