Jr. Horatio Alger 
Digging for Gold [EPUB ebook] 
A Story of California

"Mother, this is an important day for me, " said Grant Colburn, as he entered the kitchen with an armful of wood, and deposited it in the box behind the stove. His mother looked up from the table where she was cutting out pie crust, and asked in surprise, "What do you mean, Grant? Why is to-day any different from ordinary days?" "I am sixteen to-day, mother!" (Excerpt)