e on fifteen dollars a week."
"I could."
"Oh, no doubt," sneered Clapp, "but a man can't starve."
"Come round and take supper with me, some night," said Ferguson,
good-humoredly, "and you can judge for yourself whether I believe in
starving."
Clapp didn't reply to this invitation. He would not have enjoyed a
quiet evening with his fellow-workman. An evening at billiards or
cards, accompanied by bets on the games, would have been much more to
his mind.
"Who is Bayard Taylor, that made such a cheap tour in Europe?" asked
Harry, soon afterward.
"A young journalist who had a great desire to travel. He has lately
published an account of his tour. I don't buy many books, but I
bought that. Would you like to read it?"
"Very much."
"You can have it any time."
"Thank you."
On Monday, a very agreeable surprise awaited Harry.
"I am out of copy," he said, going up to Mr. Anderson's table.
"Here's a selection for the first page," said Mr. Anderson. "Cut it
in two, and give part of it to Clapp."
Could Harry believe his eyes! It was his own article on ambition,
and it was to be reproduced in the "Gazette." Next to the delight of
seeing one's self in print for the first time, is the delight of
seeing that first article copied. It is a mark of appreciation which
cannot be mistaken.
Still Harry said nothing, but, with a manner as unconcerned as
possible, handed the lower half of the essay to Clapp to set up. The
signature "Franklin" had been cut off, and the name of the paper from
which the essay had been cut was substituted.
"Wouldn't Clapp feel disgusted," thought Harry, "if he knew that he
was setting up an article of mine. I believe he would have a fit."
He was too considerate to expose his fellow-workman to such a
contingency, and went about his work in silence.
That evening he wrote to the publisher of the "Standard," inclosing
the price of two copies of the last number, which he desired should
be sent to him by mail. He wished to keep one himself, and the other
he intended to forward to his father, who, he knew, would sympathize
with him in his success as well as his aspirations. He accompanied
the paper by a letter in which he said,--
"I want to improve in writing as much as, I can. I want to be
something more than a printer, sometime. I shall try to qualify
myself for an editor; for an editor can exert a good deal of
influence in the community. I hope you will approve my
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