t
all seems. And now for the hardest end of the job. To find a
publisher who is weak-minded enough to print it."

This indeed proved much the hardest part of Van Buren's work, for the
reluctance of the large publishing houses of New York and Boston to
place their imprint upon the title-page of "The City of Credit" became
painfully evident to the youthful author. The manuscript came back to
Van Buren with a frequency that was more than ominous.

"I think," he remarked ruefully to himself upon the occasion of its
sixth rejection, "that I have discovered the principle of perpetual
motion. If there were only enough publishers in the world to last
through all eternity, I could keep this manuscript going forever."

Days passed and with no glimmer of hope, until one morning at a time
when "The City of Credit" was about due for its thirteenth reappearance
on his desk Van Buren found in its stead a letter from Hutchins &
Waterbury, of Boston, apprising him of the fact that his novel had been
read and was so well liked that "our Mr. Waterbury will be pleased to
have Mr. Van Buren call to discuss a possible arrangement under which
the firm would be willing to undertake its publication."

"Good Lord!" cried Van Buren as he read the letter over for the third
time, even then barely crediting the possibilities of success that now
loomed before him. "And Boston people, too! Will I call! Niki, pack
my suit-case at once, and engage a seat for me on the Knickerbocker
Limited."

The following morning an interview between "our Mr. Waterbury" and Van
Buren took place in the firm's private office on Tremont Street,
Boston. It appeared that while the readers of the firm of Hutchins &
Waterbury had unanimously condemned the book, Mr. Waterbury, himself,
having read it, rather thought it might have a living chance.

"Some portions of your narrative are brilliant, and some of them are
otherwise, Mr. Van Buren," said Mr. Waterbury frankly. "But
considering the authorship of the book and that it is a description of
Newport life by one who is a part of its innermost circle, I am
inclined to think it will prove interesting to the public. Your
picture of the social wheels within wheels is so intimate, and I judge
so accurate, that it would attract attention."

"I am glad you think so," said Van Buren, with a dry throat--the idea
that his book might be published after all was really overpowering.

"On the other hand, the judgment of