The story of Horatio Alger Jr.’s “Adrift in New York” centers on the abduction of a son from the affluent Linden family. The evil Curtis Waring, nephew of John Linden, has abducted the boy to takeĀ over the family business. The child grows up living on the streets of New York in a hazardous situation. The fight for survival in the busy metropolis, riches, and deceit are among the issues that are explored in the book.
A prominent figure in American culture and society, Alger’s stories of rags to riches captured the interest of a country teeming with recent immigrants. His characters work hard and are determined to gain stability and a place in society, but they do not get extremely wealthy.