
Transcriber’s Note:
ON TIME OR, BOUND TO GET THERE
CHAPTER I. A NEW PROJECT.
CHAPTER II. THE AUCTION AT RUOARA.
CHAPTER III. ON BOARD THE “BELLE.”
CHAPTER IV. IN THE PICNIC GROVE.
CHAPTER V. THE BATTLE WITH WORDS.
CHAPTER VI. THE BATTLE WITH BLOWS.
CHAPTER VII. WADDIE AND I.
CHAPTER VIII. THE WRECK OF THE “HIGHFLYER.”
A bright‑eyed city boy learns early that every minute counts. When a chance job as a telegraph messenger lands in his hands, he discovers that punctuality can open doors as surely as a firm handshake. He must race against ticking clocks, bustling streets, and the expectations of demanding supervisors, all while keeping his promise to a family that depends on his earnings.
Through a series of lively mishaps—missed trains, misdirected parcels, and a sudden storm that threatens to ruin his reputation—he discovers that honesty, hard work, and an unwavering sense of duty are his greatest assets. Along the way he befriends a kindly shopkeeper and a streetwise newsboy who teach him that true success comes from helping others as much as from keeping the schedule.
The story captures the bustling energy of a growing metropolis and celebrates the timeless lesson that being on time is more than a habit; it’s a pathway to trust, opportunity, and a brighter future.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (301K characters)
Series
Alger Series no. 149
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Demian Katz, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University (http://digital.library.villanova.edu/))
Release date
Jun 7, 2021
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1822–1897
Best known by the pen name Oliver Optic, William Taylor Adams brought adventure, travel, and lessons in character to generations of young readers. A Massachusetts educator and legislator, he became one of the most prolific American writers of nineteenth-century juvenile fiction.
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