Jim Travis Character Analysis in Ragged Dick: Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks

Jim Travis is a bartender who rents the room next to Ragged Dick and Fosdick. Much like many of the bootblacks Dick encounters, Travis is a lazy man, always looking to get rich quick in order to avoid working. He serves, in essence, as an example of the kind of man that people like Micky Maguire grow up to be. Nevertheless, he acts far more hospitably to Dick and Fosdick than does Maguire. Travis often makes small talk with the boys and invites them to his bar for a drink, even though they are too young. This hospitality ends, however, when Travis overhears Dick discussing his bank account and seeks to rob the boy of his savings. His thieving side exposed, Travis is ultimately sentenced to time in prison before he can embark on his next get-rich-quick attempt in California.

Jim Travis Character Timeline in Ragged Dick: Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks

The timeline below shows where the character Jim Travis appears in Ragged Dick: Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...landlady views him with newfound respect. She then suggests that it may have been Jim Travis, a new renter who worked as a bartender. Travis, she said, had been home sick... (full context)

...and the two decide on a plan. They agree not to broach the subject with Travis, should they see him, and instead go to the bank first thing in the morning... (full context)

Nevertheless, Travis visits the boys himself in what they recognize as a thinly veiled attempt to see... (full context)

Fortune Favors the Industrious Theme Icon

The narrator intervenes to provide a bit of Travis’ back story. He had indeed stolen the passbook after hearing Dick and Fosdick talk about... (full context)

...is still there, and together they arrange for the police to be on hand when Travis arrives to withdraw Dick’s money. (full context)

...is preparing to leave the bank (in order to return to shining shoes), he spies Travis about to walk in. With the clerk’s help, Dick hides from Travis behind the counter. (full context)

Travis approaches the clerk and requests to withdraw the money. The clerk acts as though this... (full context)

Travis claims that the account belongs to his younger brother, who is unable to come himself... (full context)

American Democracy vs. The British Monarchy Theme Icon

Travis attempts to flee but is met at the door by a police officer who drags... (full context)