That Printer of Udell's: A Story of the Middle West

In Short

This novel follows Dick, a hungry, homeless printer who arrives in Boyd City only to be rebuffed by the city’s pious church leaders. Through the unlikely friendship of an older businessman, Dick finds work and eventually leads a grassroots movement to create a community center that provides real help to the needy, rather than empty sentiment. It is a story about the disconnect between institutional religion and the teachings of Jesus, offering a vision of social reform rooted in individual responsibility, hard work, and the dignity of the marginalized.

The Story

Dick arrives in Boyd City, a desperate young man fleeing a traumatic past. After his mother dies in a lonely cabin, he seeks work, but the local church members, despite their outward displays of piety, offer him only cold platitudes and turn him away. He is eventually befriended by Uncle Bobbie Wicks, an eccentric but kind-hearted businessman, and finds employment at George Udell’s printing shop. There, Dick begins to transform, gaining a reputation for his talents and his fierce, practical integrity.

His life becomes intertwined with the city’s social elite, including Amy Goodrich, the daughter of a prominent, hypocritical hardware merchant. While the established church leaders—represented by the self-important Dr. Hartzell—bicker over theological minutiae and refuse to address the suffering of the poor, Dick and a group of idealistic young people, led by Amy and supported by Uncle Bobbie, take action. They develop a plan for an institution that provides education, recreation, and, crucially, a way for the destitute to earn their keep through honest labor, ensuring that no one needs to beg or starve.

The path is not easy. Frank Goodrich, Amy’s brother, represents the city’s moral decay, participating in gambling and corruption. Frank’s obsession with destroying Dick leads to a dramatic confrontation in the printing office, where Dick must defend himself against an intruder hired by Frank. Following this, Amy, pushed to the breaking point by her father’s cruel ultimatum to abandon her charity work or lose her home, leaves her family. She eventually finds refuge on a farm, where her purity and resilience remain intact despite the social stigma she faces for breaking with her father.

As the new institution gains momentum, the city is revolutionized. The "Boyd City Plan" becomes a model for municipal virtue, proving that community needs can be met through businesslike compassion. The narrative concludes years later, with Dick and Amy married and serving the public. Dick is elected to represent the city in Washington, but he and Amy never forget their origins. They return to the countryside to pay their respects at the graves of the mother and child who suffered while the world turned away, marking the final resting place of those who inspired his mission with the words: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

How It Unfolds

The arrival of a stranger Dick enters Boyd City destitute and is ignored by the congregation he approaches for aid. The scene establishes the contrast between the church’s ornate symbols and the reality of the hungry man on the street.

The unlikely alliance Uncle Bobbie Wicks recognizes that men turn to vice when they have nowhere else to go. He bridges the gap to Dick, leading to a friendship that provides the young man with his first taste of genuine community.

The challenge to the church Dick challenges the church’s "sickly, sentimental" approach, arguing that charity must be practical and preserve a person’s self-respect. He advocates for a system where those in need perform useful work rather than accepting handouts.

The conflict with the elite Frank Goodrich and his cohorts represent a cold, materialistic society that views the poor as threats and the church as a social club. Their attempt to destroy Dick’s reputation and livelihood serves as the catalyst for his ultimate triumph.

The birth of the institution The young people of the city organize, ignoring their elders' cynicism to create a center for recreation and labor. The success of this project proves that practical Christianity can solve long-standing social problems.

The final vindication Years later, Boyd City stands as a beacon of virtue. Dick, now a respected leader, finds his fulfillment in his marriage to Amy and his commitment to the principles of service that defined his journey.

The People

Dick Falkner is the heart of the story. He begins as a "tramp," hardened by poverty and the cruelty of others, but his inherent goodness and sharp intellect allow him to rise above his circumstances. He wants nothing more than to be treated as a man, yet he learns to forgive those who once shunned him.

Uncle Bobbie Wicks serves as the moral anchor of the town. He is an older, wealthy man who sees through the hypocrisy of the local religious establishment. He wants to help those who have been forgotten by society and finds in Dick a worthy protege who can execute the vision he has long held for the city.

Amy Goodrich represents the struggle against entrenched, cold-hearted tradition. She desires to live a life of genuine service and must sacrifice her standing in her father's wealthy home to remain true to her principles. Her development from a sheltered girl into a woman of independent character is central to the book’s emotional arc.

Frank Goodrich is the mirror image of Dick. Driven by selfishness and greed, he represents the corrupt side of the town’s elite. He wants to maintain his social status at any cost and views Dick’s rise as an affront to his own comfort. He ultimately fails because he lacks the moral foundation that sustains the others.

In Its Own Voice

"I'm er goin'--mighty fast,--Dicky," she said, in a voice that was scarcely audible.

A dying mother entrusts her son to God in the opening scene, setting the tone for the boy’s long, difficult journey.

"The orthodox church of to-day is the power of God unto salvation."

Dr. Hartzell dismisses the need for change, illustrating the rigid, self-satisfied perspective that Dick must overcome.

"I guess there's cash enough," and he laid the package of bills on the table.

Frank Goodrich prepares to gamble, showing the reckless, desperate nature of the town’s "respectable" elite.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book is a critique of performative piety. It argues that a religion which focuses on scholarship and comfortable pews while ignoring the suffering on its doorstep is fundamentally broken. The book advocates for "practical Christianity," where the church’s primary purpose is to solve real-world problems—such as unemployment, homelessness, and the lack of decent recreation—through systemic, businesslike charity. It questions whether the "church of the future" should merely replicate the traditions of the past or actively serve the "least of these." It posits that moral health in a community is not measured by the beauty of its stained glass, but by whether its children can walk the streets in safety.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate classic American narratives of self-improvement and social reform will find much to engage with here. The book captures a specific, earnest vision of the American Middle West at the turn of the century, where the tension between rapid urbanization and traditional moral values is palpable. You will encounter the distinct, phonetic rural dialect of the early chapters, which provides a stark, gritty introduction to the protagonist’s origins. It is a heartfelt, sometimes didactic, but deeply sincere exploration of how one man can shift the culture of a city by simply insisting on human dignity.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the book's period-specific attitudes, particularly regarding class and the way it characterizes its "fallen" characters. The dialogue—especially in the opening chapters—demands patience, as does the author’s tendency to lecture the reader on his social philosophy. Yet, if you value stories that champion the underdog and imagine a society built on the bedrock of shared responsibility, you will likely find the transformation of Boyd City both rewarding and thought-provoking. It is a book that takes the idea of "loving your neighbor" and strips away all the pretense to see if anything—or anyone—is left standing.