Five Hundred Dollars

In Short

This novel follows Bert Barton, a hardworking teenager in the small town of Lakeville, who suddenly finds himself unemployed when his wealthy cousin, Squire Marlowe, introduces machinery to his shoe factory. As Bert struggles to support his widowed mother, he encounters his mysterious, long-lost Uncle Jacob, who has returned from California. The story serves as a moral exploration of character and greed, ultimately exposing the roots of the Squire’s ill-gotten fortune. It has endured as a quintessential example of its author’s signature style: the reward of honesty in a changing industrial world.

The Story

The narrative begins with the return of Jacob Marlowe, a wealthy but unassuming man, to his hometown of Lakeville. He is immediately met with coldness by his nephew, the prosperous and arrogant Squire Albert Marlowe, and his spoiled son, Percy. In stark contrast, Bert Barton, the son of the Squire’s cousin, treats the traveler with genuine respect. When the Squire heartlessly fires Bert and his fellow workers to increase his profits, Bert finds himself picking berries to scrape by, while Percy falls into debt through gambling with a disreputable city visitor.

The plot thickens when a petty theft of a twenty-dollar bill occurs in town. Percy, having stolen the money from his father to pay his gambling debts, allows suspicion to fall on the innocent Bert. Although the charge is dismissed, the incident highlights the moral decay of the Squire’s household. Meanwhile, Bert takes a temporary job on a farm, where he discovers an ailing stranger hiding in the barn. This man, Phineas Wilson, reveals a startling truth: Bert’s father, long believed dead, is alive and living in hiding, having been framed years ago for a theft actually committed by Albert Marlowe.

Armed with this knowledge, Bert and Uncle Jacob embark on a quest to find the one man who can clear his father’s name: Ralph Harding, a former employee who witnessed the original crime. Bert’s journey takes him to Harrisburg and eventually to Peoria, where he works briefly as a minor actor to sustain himself. He locates Harding, who is burdened by guilt, and convinces him to return to Lakeville.

Upon their return, the evidence against the Squire—including a self-incriminating letter—is laid bare. Uncle Jacob, who has been quietly gathering resources to right the family’s wrongs, intervenes. He secures the restitution of the family home and the factory for Bert’s parents. The Squire, exposed and shamed, is forced to move to Illinois to start over on a much smaller scale, while his son Percy remains disillusioned. The book concludes with the restoration of the Barton family’s honor. Bert, having proven his character through adversity, looks toward a bright future, while Uncle Jacob remains the enigmatic figure whose secret—and resources—ultimately shaped the destinies of both the righteous and the greedy.

How It Unfolds

The traveler returns Uncle Jacob walks into Lakeville and is immediately snubbed by the wealthy Squire, who fears the man will demand repayment for an old loan. Bert Barton, a humble boy working in the Squire’s factory, offers the traveler a warm welcome instead.

Employment ends The Squire fires Bert and his peers to implement new machinery, showing no concern for their livelihood. Bert attempts to support his mother through menial work, while the Squire’s son, Percy, drifts into debt and dishonesty.

The false accusation Percy steals money from his father to pay a gambling debt, framing Bert for the crime. Though the law eventually clears Bert, the event exposes the stark difference between the boys' moral foundations.

A secret uncovered Bert discovers that his father is not dead but hiding from a past injustice involving the Squire. With his uncle's guidance, Bert tracks down the key witness, Ralph Harding, to prove his father's innocence.

The final reckoning Armed with evidence of the Squire's past deception, the truth is revealed in Lakeville. The Squire loses his stature, the rightful owners regain their home, and Bert prepares for a future of independence and education.

The People

Bert Barton is the story’s moral anchor. Initially a poor factory boy, he is defined by his politeness and work ethic. His resilience in the face of unemployment and false accusations transforms him into a capable young man who restores his family’s honor.

Squire Albert Marlowe serves as the antagonist, a man whose wealth is built upon a foundation of theft and betrayal. He is characterized by his coldness toward his "poor relations" and his obsessive desire to maintain a facade of prosperity. He eventually loses everything he worked so dishonestly to acquire.

Uncle Jacob Marlowe acts as the narrative’s catalyst. Having spent years in California, he returns as a man of modest appearance but immense integrity. He functions as a mentor to Bert, using his wealth not for himself, but to restore justice and expose the greed of his nephew.

Percy Marlowe is the spoiled son of the Squire. Entitled and reckless, he spends his time gambling and avoiding work. His downfall is marked by his own lack of moral fiber, as he is easily manipulated by others and ultimately finds himself at odds with the consequences of his father's ruined reputation.

In Its Own Voice

The Squire’s arrogance is on full display when he reflects on his own rise to power, contrasting it with the perceived failures of his less successful relatives.

"I was once a common workman like you, but, thanks to my energy and enterprise, I am now the owner of a large factory, and able to live in comparative luxury."

Bert displays his characteristic humility and focus when he receives a small bit of luck selling produce to support his mother.

"It is almost as much as I made in the shop," he reflected complacently.

The Squire’s deep-seated insecurity regarding his past crimes emerges when he considers the threat posed by his own victim.

"He did not know whether Barton was alive or dead, but hoped that he was dead, as this would make him absolutely safe."

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book explores the tension between inherited status and individual merit. It poses the question of whether a person’s worth is defined by their financial standing or their actions. The author argues that true success is built upon honesty, whereas ill-gotten wealth is inherently fragile and carries the weight of a guilty conscience. The narrative suggests that even when the world seems indifferent to the suffering of the poor, justice may eventually arrive through persistence and the support of honorable kin. It is a story about the cyclical nature of consequences—how one man’s greed can poison his family tree, while another’s kindness can nurture a legacy of integrity.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy classic rags-to-riches stories, or who appreciate the moral clarity found in nineteenth-century juvenile literature, will find this a satisfying, if simple, experience. The prose is direct and unadorned, reflecting a time when stories were written with a clear purpose: to instruct and uplift. The pace is brisk, moving quickly from the humble village life to the intrigue of the secret-finding mission.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period’s rigid social hierarchies and the frequent, heavy-handed moralizing that defines the genre. The dialogue is occasionally stiff, reflecting the Victorian tendency toward formal speech, and the characters are painted in broad strokes—the villains are thoroughly corrupt, and the heroes are nearly faultless. You will not find modern psychological nuance here; instead, you find a world where the lines between right and wrong are rarely blurred. If you approach this as a historical artifact—a glimpse into the values and literary tastes of a bygone era—you will find it a warm, comfortable, and ultimately rewarding journey. It leaves the reader with a sense of order restored, a classic hallmark of the genre that feels both nostalgic and, in its own way, timeless.