At first they  were poor. For his birthday, his father gave him a dime but he wanted a bicycle . On  the  next  day he spent it on some apples then  he got a job selling newspapers. In the story,  he worked with Jacob selling newspaper to  help his familly. This shows that he was trying to help his family so they will not be poor it also said that  he sold newspapers and made some money. This reminds me of when my family was poor so I helped them  get money and my dad was selling hats then we had a house like the story babe and I, he helped his family by selling newspapers. Then when he got home from selling newspapers his mother put money inside the jar. His mom said don't  say anything to you father about the newspspers. I think he did not tell his dad because he did not want him to be very sad.