Fame and Fortune is the second volume in Alger's "Ragged Dick Series." Ragged Dick is now known as Richard Hunter, and he and his friend Henry Fosdick move into a new, slightly more expensive boarding house. After securing their room and moving their belongings from their old dwelling, Richard runs into Frank Whitney. Frank re-introduces Richard to his uncle, who is quite pleased to see his progress: "In this free country there is every inducement for effort, however unpromising may be the early circumstances in which one is placed."
At his job under Mr. Rockwell, Richard encounters Mr. Gilbert, bookkeeper and uncle to fop Roswell Crawford, whom Henry beat out of a job at a gentleman's store. Gilbert takes an instant dislike to Richard on account of his intelligence and signs of greatness; Gilbert feels that Richard does not show him enough respect. Mr. Rockwell soon arrives and shows his great admiration and hope for Richard, which further frustrates Gilbert. Richard is placed to work under the head clerk, Mr. Murdock, who respects the same qualities in Richard that Rockwell identifies.
Gilbert conspires with another of Richard's prior adversaries, Micky Maguire, to frame Richard on a charge of robbery. It's nip and tuck for Richard again!
