As pastor of the Unitarian Church in Brewster, Massachusetts, he befriended many of the local boys, and took them on seaside picnics. Two of the boys eventually stepped forward and confessed they had engaged in homosexual acts with the 34-yearold Alger. Confronted, Alger did not deny it. He was run out of town, and fled to New York City, where he achieved national fame writing stories for boys. He later became a tireless philanthropist working to improve conditions for homeless youths, orphans, and runaways.