ting nature there is a great
temptation to publish it. There have been few such offenses, however,
during the present war, be it said to the newspaper men's credit. Hence
it became possible for the President to grant regular interviews to the
leading reporters of the country and speak to them with comparative
frankness with regard to national policies without fear that what he
said would be garbled and turned to mischievous ends."

"I don't believe I ever thought before of the responsibility the papers
had," remarked Paul soberly.

"Their responsibility is immeasurable," replied Mr. Wright. "The
opportunity a paper has for checking rash judgment and arousing the best
that is in humanity is endless. That is why I should like to control a
newspaper, that I might make it the mouthpiece of all that is highest
and noblest. To my mind only persons of splendid ideals should be
entrusted with the publishing of papers. If the editor is to form the
opinion of the masses, he should be a man worthy of his mission."

Paul toyed with his cuff-link.

"So, son," concluded Mr. Wright, "you've got to be a very good person if
you aim to be a newspaper man--at least, that's what I think. Any
printed word is like seed; it is liable to take root you know not where.
A paper voices the thought of those who produce it. Therefore it
behooves its makers to consider well their thoughts."

The boy winced and a flush surged to his forehead. Certainly Mr. Wright
would not approve of the fifty-dollar bill which at that instant lay
concealed in his pocket. As he turned to leave the room, he was very
conscious of the leather pocketbook that pressed against his heart. He
wished he was clear of that money. But he had already kept it more than
two weeks and it was of course too late to return it now.

CHAPTER XIV

PAUL MAKES A PILGRIMAGE TO THE CITY

The trip to Boston which Mr. Wright suggested materialized into quite as
delightful an excursion as Paul had anticipated. In fact, it was an
eventful journey, filled with every variety of wonderful experience.

The elder man and his young guest arrived in the city Friday night in
plenty of time to enjoy what Paul called _a great feed_ and afterward go
to a moving-picture show. It was odd to the suburban boy to awake
Saturday morning amid the rumble and roar from pavements and crowded
streets. But there was no leisure to gaze from the window down upon the
hurrying throng beneath, for Mr. Wrigh