kind.
I can assure you that I will pay you as much as you are earning now, and
I shall be glad to offer you a home at my house, because I shall want
you at my right hand all the time. Do you think you will care to take
the place?"

Archie could hardly speak, it was all so wonderful, but finally he
recovered himself sufficiently to explain his hesitancy in accepting
the position. "I would like just one day," he said, "to consult with my
friends on the newspaper. You see Mr. Jennings and Mr. Van Bunting have
been very good to me, and I shouldn't care to leave them now if they
object very strongly."

"That's quite right, quite right," said Mr. Depaw. "I can appreciate
your feelings, and you can tell the editor that you will have some time
for writing, and that you will contribute occasional articles to his
paper." Archie was now delighted. "Oh, thank you," he cried. "I am sure
I can come now."

"Well, come in at this time to-morrow," said Mr. Depaw, "and let me know
what you have decided to do."

Archie hurried at once to Mr. Jennings's office to tell him the good
news. He wondered how his friend would take it, but all his fears
were soon put at rest. "Archie," said Mr. Jennings, "this is the best
opportunity you can ever have to improve yourself in every way. Mr.
Depaw is a man highly respected all over the country, and a man who is
known to be extraordinary in many ways. Association with such a man will
do more for you than four years in college, and you will make a mistake
if you do not accept his offer. Of course we shall all be sorry to lose
you here, but, as Mr. Depaw says, you will have some time for writing,
and we hope you will always continue to do some work for us."

Archie could almost have thrown his arms about Mr. Jennings's neck to
hug him for his splendid feeling, and when, a little later, Mr. Van
Bunting said practically the same thing, he felt that he had never known
two such men. He assured them both that he would never forget them, but
would try and spend as much time as possible in the Enterprise office.

The next day he called again on Mr. Depaw, and told him of his decision
to accept the place, and the good man seemed overjoyed. "I will see that
you never forget it, Archie," he said. It was arranged for him to begin
work the very next day. "You can transfer your things to my house as
soon as you like, for your room is waiting for you, and I will begin
to-morrow to teach you how to do things."