Rufus and Rose; Or, The Fortunes of Rough and Ready

Rufus, a fifteen‑year‑old who rose from the bustling newsstands of New York to a fledgling position on Wall Street, is determined to turn his street‑wise savvy into a respectable career. Known among his peers as “Rough and Ready,” he carries the confidence of someone who has learned to fend for himself early, while shouldering the care of his younger sister, Rose, after their mother’s death and a step‑father’s decline into alcoholism.

Guided by Miss Manning, a kindly seamstress who offers a roof for Rose, Rufus steps into the world of finance with a mixture of optimism and caution. As he navigates the bustling offices and the temptations of quick profit, he must balance his ambition with the harsh realities of city life, learning whom to trust and how to protect the small family he has rebuilt.