Nicholas Nickleby

"Nicholas Nickleby is the son of a poor country gentleman, and has to make his own way in the world. He first goes as usher to Mr. Squeers, schoolmaster at Dotheboys Hall, in Yorkshire, but leaves in disgust with the tyranny of Squeers and his wife, especially to a poor boy named Smike. Smike runs away from his school to follow Nicholas, and remains his humble follower till death. At Portsmouth, Nicholas joins the theatrical company of Mr. Crummies, but leaves the profession for other adventures. He falls in with the brothers Cheeryble, who make him their clerk; in this post he rises to success as a merchant, and ultimately marries Madeline Bray." Benét Reader's Ency.