ngs of this world; however, I had a determination that I would find success if I looked hard enough for it. Being an orphan and a boy in this strange new land, I lacked the advantage of having many skills of which could be of financial value to me. For the first few weeks, I was on the streets begging for food and for sustenance. I found humility and knew what it was like to truly be poor. One evening as I was walking along the streets of Pittsburgh, I came across a book that was lying near the gutter. Having little else to do, I picked it up to discover its contents only to find that the cover and the title page were both missing. I searched for the author's name but could not find it either. As I read through the pages, the author spoke of a boy named Ragged Dick who, like me, had been born poor and was an orphan. My ability to relate to many of the character's adversities filled me with a desire to read more. 248 pages later, I found Dick's character to be one who was hardworking, poor, reliable, searching for opportunity, and – above all else – honest. His hard work, determination, and honesty had paid off for him in the end. The last paragraph is what struck me the most about Dick. It read "Here ends the story of Ragged Dick. As Fosdick said, he is Ragged Dick no longer. He has taken a step upward, and is determined to mount still higher." (Baker 27) By the time the sun had risen over the eastern horizon, something inside of me had changed. I resolved to find employment – no matter what it was – and seek out ways to advance in both skill and financial influence. Although I was weary from being up all night reading, I had a perfect brightness of hope which carried me from shop to shop as I went about inquiring for any openings that might be available. That day, as I walked through town pondering how I was going to make my fortune, I bumped into a small Scottish man ...