"Gazette" attained a circulation
and influence that it had never before reached. The income derived
from it was double that which it yielded in the days of his
predecessor; and both he and Ferguson were enabled to lay by a few
hundred dollars every year. But Harry had never sought wealth. He
was content with a comfortable support and a competence. He liked
influence and the popular respect, and he was gratified by the
important trusts which he received. He was ambitious, but it was a
creditable and honorable ambition. He sought to promote the public
welfare, and advance the public interests, both as a speaker and as a
writer; and though sometimes misrepresented, the people on the whole
did him justice.

A few weeks after he had taken his seat in Congress, a young man was
ushered into his private room. Looking up, he saw a man of about his
own age, dressed with some attempt at style, but on the whole wearing
a look of faded gentility.

"Mr. Walton," said the visitor, with some hesitation.

"That is my name. Won't you take a seat?"

The visitor sat down, but appeared ill at ease. He nervously fumbled
at his hat, and did not speak.

"Can I do anything for you?" asked Harry, at length.

"I see you don't know me," said the stranger.

"I can't say I recall your features; but then I see a great many
persons."

"I went to school at the Prescott Academy, when you were in the
office of the Centreville 'Gazette.'"

Harry looked more closely, and exclaimed, in astonished recognition,
"Fitzgerald Fletcher!"

"Yes," said the other, flushing with mortification, "I am Fitzgerald
Fletcher."

"I am glad to see you," said Harry, cordially, forgetting the old
antagonism that had existed between them.

He rose and offered his hand, which Fletcher took with an air of
relief, for he had felt uncertain of his reception.

"You have prospered wonderfully," said Fletcher, with a shade of envy.

"Yes," said Harry, smiling. "I was a printer's devil when you knew
me; but I never meant to stay in that position. I have risen from
the ranks."

"I haven't," said Fletcher, bitterly.

"Have you been unfortunate? Tell me about it, if you don't mind,"
said Harry, sympathetically.

"My father failed three years ago," said Fletcher, "and I found
myself adrift with nothing to do, and no money to fall back upon. I
have drifted about since then; but now I am out of employment. I
came to you to-day to see if you will exert y