Horatio Alger wrote 135 dime novels in the latter part of the 19th century. His stories were rags to riches stories illustrating how down-and-out boys might be able to achieve the American Dream. Alger's stories empathize the need for hard work and honesty as a way to get ahead. Alger describes young men in the city trying to get a head as newsboys, match boys, peddlers, street musicians, and many others. In Facing the World a boy's parents have both died. His guardian is unkind and unjust. The boy runs away and is fortunate to find a mentor who gives him a job as his helper in his magic act. They travel over the country and have many interesting experiences.