The Luck of the Roaring Camp (Penguin Readers, Level 2)

'The Luck' in this story is a baby boy born in Roaring Camp, a California gold rush settlement. The baby's mother dies in childbirth and the men decide to bring up the boy themselves. His presence inspires them to drop their gambling and brawling. When gold is discovered, they believe the child has brought them this good fortune, but can this 'Luck' last? These are classic American short stories - published in 1868.