
A bright‑eyed fourteen‑year‑old named Tony finds himself on the dusty streets of a small New York town, paired with a dark‑complexioned, wandering tramp called Rudolph. Their uneasy partnership is marked by sharp banter and stark differences: Tony’s hopeful spirit clashes with Rudolph’s hardened, itinerant worldview. As they trudge up steep lanes, the boy’s longing for a proper home and honest work becomes a quiet refrain against the backdrop of endless wandering.
The opening sets the stage for a modest yet heartfelt adventure, where Tony’s determination to break free from a life of begging drives him toward unexpected encounters. Listeners will follow his struggle to reconcile loyalty to his companion with a yearning for stability, hinting at the challenges and growth that lie ahead. The tale captures the timeless tension between freedom on the road and the comfort of a settled life, all through the eyes of a brave, aspiring young wanderer.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (387K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2019-07-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1832–1899
Best known for stories of poor boys who rise through grit, luck, and good character, this 19th-century American writer helped shape the classic “rags-to-riches” tale. His hugely popular juvenile novels became a lasting part of American culture.
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