reading it. All it wan's is adve'tising.
No question about it, gen'lemen."

Barrifield looked across triumphantly at Van Dorn. Bates was all right
when it came to business. They read him the advertisements, of which he
approved heartily. Later, he began telling them of some vast sum
appropriated by an artificial food company for advertising purposes and
of which he would secure for them a handsome slice.

Perner listened a moment; then he drew a paper from his pocket.

"Oh, by the way, Bates," he asked, "what does this mean? This contract
you left here last night reads, 'Two lines, two insertions, for two
dollars.' What does that mean?"

Bates stared a moment; then he took the paper and pretended to examine
it very carefully. A moment later he chuckled.

"Why, yes," he owned, "that's so. I never noticed that b'fore. S'pose I
got to writin' twos an' couldn't stop. Should have been 'forty' in the
blank b'fore 'dollars.' Have it fixed t'-morrow."

He pocketed the contract and rose to go. Barrifield and Perner again
looked across at each other with satisfaction. Bates took a step toward
the door. Then it was observed that his self-control had been but
temporary, or perhaps had not extended to his legs. He staggered,
reached for the knob, missed, and plunged helplessly into the corner in
a heap. They helped him up, brushed him, and steadied him down-stairs.
As they came back to the studio Van Dorn remarked disgustedly:

"Well, smart men that drink, or no smart men, I wouldn't hire another
man like that."

"But wasn't it wonderful how he braced up when it came to talking
business?" insisted Barrifield.

"Yes; he's all right on business," agreed Perner; "but I am with Van on
the drink question."

"I'm with the Colonel," said Livingstone.

XII

A LETTER FROM MISS DOROTHY CASTLE OF CLEVELAND TO MR. TRUMAN LIVINGSTONE
OF NEW YORK

"MY DEAR TRUE: Your last letter, and package containing
'dummy' of the first issue of the 'Whole Family,' so far as
complete, came last night. I have read every word in it--the
'Whole Family,' I mean (and your letter, too, of
course)--over and over. I think it splendid (both splendid).
The stories and drawings are all of the very highest order,
if I am any judge, and the 'make-up' and all beautiful. (I
am talking of the paper this time.) There is a little
typographical error on the fourth page,--in the second
column, just below