Irony of Erie Railroad stock
The penniless Dick is fond of saying that "all" of his wealth is invested in shares of the Erie Railroad. Since he has no wealth, the statement is technically true. However while walking about town with the son of a wealthy man, wearing clothing that makes him look like a young man of a similar class, Dick mentions his Erie Railroad stock and is actually taken seriously by a man who offers to exchange it for a different kind of asset.
Irony of Theft Accusation
Dick, who belongs to a class of boys often accused of theft but who is not himself a thief, takes great pleasure in a scene when his wealthy young companion Frank Whitney is accused of having stolen a woman's purse. The accusation is baseless-- her purse is not in fact missing, but of the two boys present it is ironically the wealthier of the two, who has no possible reason to steal, who is falsely accused of theft. Dick of course thinks it's hilarious but Frank is less impressed.
Irony of Job Application
Henry and Dick don't earn much money as bootblacks, and would like access to a job that would allow them more of an income. But to get such a job requires appropriate clothing, which in turn requires money, which is exactly the thing they lack. The boys also need good references to get work opportunities, but without a chance to work or socialize much with the upper class they cannot build the social connections they need to obtain references.
Irony of Relative Status
Although Henry Fosdick is better educated than Dick and was born to a higher social class, having received some education, Dick is the leader and the alpha partner in the friendship.
Irony of Income
Although both boys covet a shop boy job in a store, which is a higher-status job than that of a bootblack, Dick earns more as a bootblack than do the shop boys whose shoes he shines.
