Do and Dare

In Short

This classic of Victorian juvenile fiction follows the fortunes of Herbert Carr, a virtuous boy thrust into the world after his widowed mother is stripped of her post-office position by a greedy neighbor. As Herbert navigates poverty, dishonest rivals, and the dangers of the American frontier, he maintains his integrity and eventually secures a small fortune. The book serves as a quintessential example of its era’s "rags-to-riches" moralizing, blending melodrama with a steadfast belief in the power of individual grit and kindness to overcome even the most formidable social and economic obstacles.

The Story

The narrative begins in the quiet village of Wayneboro, where Herbert Carr lives with his widowed mother. Their modest survival depends on the post office, which his mother manages. Their security is shattered when the wealthy and unscrupulous Ebenezer Graham, driven by greed, uses his influence to have the position transferred to himself. With the family income decimated, Herbert is forced to find work. He briefly enters Graham’s employ, but the situation is untenable due to the interference of Graham’s shiftless, resentful son, Eben.

Herbert’s prospects brighten when he meets George Melville, a wealthy, kind-hearted gentleman visiting the town. Melville recognizes Herbert’s character and hires him as a companion, a decision that eventually leads them on a journey to the American West. Their travel is far from peaceful. Along the way, they encounter outlaws, including the notorious Jerry Lane and his cohorts, who plot to rob them. Herbert’s quick thinking and moral fortitude prove vital in these encounters, particularly when he thwarts a robbery and saves the life of a hunter named Jack Holden.

Meanwhile, Eben Graham’s life takes a dark turn. After stealing from his father, he flees to the West, only to fall into deep destitution. His path eventually crosses with Herbert’s again, though the circumstances are vastly different. Herbert, now wealthy thanks to a successful investment in Western property suggested by Melville, finds Eben in rags and misery. True to his character, Herbert does not gloat; instead, he helps the former rival by providing him with new clothes and the means to return home.

The resolution brings all the principals back to Wayneboro. Eben returns to his father, having learned a hard lesson that seems to have humbled his pride. Ebenezer Graham, having experienced the pain of his own son’s betrayal, appears more subdued. Herbert returns to his mother not merely with enough to live on, but with a significant fortune of twelve thousand dollars. The final chapters settle the characters into a comfortable, harmonious conclusion. Herbert and his mother move to Boston, where Herbert pursues education and business under the mentorship of George Melville, who resides with them as a close friend. The narrative concludes with Herbert secure in his success, having proven that diligence and honesty are the surest paths to a rewarding life.

How It Unfolds

The loss of livelihood Herbert and his mother discuss the imminent loss of their post-office position to the grasping Ebenezer Graham. Despite Herbert's indignation at this injustice, the boy resolves to find work to support his mother.

Employment and tension Herbert secures a job in Graham's store but finds the work environment strained by the hostility of Eben Graham. When Herbert’s honesty prevents him from being drawn into Eben’s schemes, he is forced to move on to a new opportunity.

A fortuitous partnership George Melville arrives in town and hires Herbert as his companion, offering a salary that far exceeds the boy’s expectations. This relationship provides the foundation for their upcoming Western journey and Herbert’s eventual rise.

Frontier perils The journey west is marked by encounters with dangerous outlaws and narrow escapes from violence. Herbert proves his mettle by protecting his interests and saving a man's life, demonstrating his growth from a village boy to a capable young man.

A change of fortune Herbert benefits from a savvy investment in the West, transforming his financial outlook. When he encounters a destitute and repentant Eben, he demonstrates the maturity to offer help rather than retribution.

Return and prosperity Herbert returns home to provide his mother with security and independence. The story concludes with the characters finding their proper places, as Herbert begins a new life of education and business in Boston.

The People

Herbert Carr is the archetype of the virtuous youth—honest, hard-working, and resilient. He seeks only to support his mother, yet he possesses a sharp sense of self-respect that prevents him from being exploited by the greedy. George Melville acts as the essential foil and benefactor; as a wealthy, refined, yet physically frail man, he values Herbert's companionship and moral strength above all else. His wealth is a tool for benevolence, and he serves as the catalyst for Herbert's social and financial advancement.

Ebenezer Graham represents the corrosive influence of unbridled greed. He is a man who values money over his own integrity, a trait that eventually boomerangs upon him through his son. Eben Graham, the son, starts as a spoiled, mean-spirited youth who resents Herbert’s rise. Unlike his father, Eben’s character arc is marked by a profound fall—from a petty thief to a starving wanderer—which ultimately forces a genuine, if begrudging, transformation in his character. By the end, he is humbled and reconciled to his father, completing the moral landscape of the story.

In Its Own Voice

“Men are selfish, Herbert, and there is no office, however small, that is not sought after.”

Mrs. Carr explains to her son why their neighbors might try to take their livelihood.

“Of all schemes of gaining wealth, about the most foolish is spending money for lottery tickets.”

The narrator pauses the story to deliver a firm, common-sense warning to the reader.

“My dear boy, I have more than my share of money already. Sometimes I feel ashamed when I compare my lot with others, and consider that for the money I have, I have done no work.”

George Melville articulates his personal philosophy regarding the responsibilities of being a wealthy man.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book argues that moral character is the ultimate currency. Herbert’s success is not presented as a stroke of blind luck, but as the inevitable result of his refusal to compromise his principles, even when tempted by shortcuts or pressured by those with more power. The story explores the tension between "selfish" ambition—represented by the Grahams—and the "trustee" model of wealth, represented by Melville, who sees his fortune as a duty to help others. It suggests that while the world is full of dangers, both in business and on the frontier, a steady hand and a clear conscience provide a reliable compass for any youth entering adulthood.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the historical flavor of 19th-century American fiction will find this a satisfying, brisk read. It captures a specific, idealized version of the American Dream, where the boundary between a boy’s daily chores and his future success is porous and bridgeable. The prose is clean and direct, though modern readers may find the dialogue and the frequent moral asides from the author to be quite didactic. The period attitudes—particularly regarding the frontier and the portrayal of Indigenous people, which are reflected in the story’s moments of violence—are starkly of their time and may feel jarring to a contemporary audience. However, as a study of the "self-made man" myth, the book remains a fascinating primary text. It moves with a quick, episodic energy, making it an accessible look at the values that shaped a generation of readers. What stays with the reader is the clear, unwavering belief in the idea that one’s current circumstances are never a permanent ceiling, provided one maintains a "do and dare" attitude toward the challenges ahead.