Ragged Dick

The piece is making an implicit argument about the necessity of circumstance and great character in order for success to be achieved. Without great luck, Dick would never have gotten his opportunity. He was in the right place at the right time, and was lucky enough to have the skills necessary because of past experience. On a normal day, Dick would never have been on the boat, and only fate allowed him his chance at success. Once chance had set up his opportunity, with the child falling off of his boat within his view, character comes into play. Had Dick been a lazy man, or a dishonorable man, he never would have jumped in to save the boy. However, because he was a good man, he jumped (haha) after his opportunity without fear for himself. Because he took a chance, and risked his own security, he was successful and eventually became a success. When fate aligns the right circumstances with a man noble and skilled enough to take advantage of a situation, a success story is born.