"luck and pluck" appeared as a serial story in the juvenile department of ballou's magazine for the year 1869, and is therefore already familiar to a very large constituency of young readers. it is now presented in book form, as the first of a series of six volumes, designed to illustrate the truth that a manly spirit is better than the gifts of fortune. early trial and struggle, as the history of the majority of our successful men abundantly attests, tend to strengthen and invigorate the character.

the author trusts that john oakley, his young hero, will find many friends, and that his career will not only be followed with interest, but teach a lesson of patient fortitude and resolute endeavor, and a determination to conquer fortune, and compel its smiles. he has no fear that any boy-reader will be induced to imitate ben brayton, whose selfishness and meanness are likely to meet a fitting recompense.

new york, nov. 8, 1869.