ey can't reach any other way. But they give it just as
little space as they can. It isn't popular."

"Well, I don't intend to make the paper yellow."

"Of course you don't. Keep your mind on it as a business proposition and
you won't go wrong. Remember, it's the advertiser that pays. Think of
that when you write an editorial. Frame it and hang it where every
sub-editor and reporter can't help but see it. Ask of every bit of news,
'Is this going to get me an advertiser? Is that going to lose me an
advertiser?' Be on the lookout to do your advertisers favors. They
appreciate little things like special notices and seeing their names in
print, in personals, and that kind of thing. And keep the paper
optimistic. Don't knock. Boost. Business men warm up to that. Why,
Boy-ee, if you'll just stick to the policy I've outlined, you'll not
only make a big success, but you'll have a model paper that'll make a
new era in local journalism; a paper that every business man in town
will swear by and that'll be the pride of Worthington before you're
through."

Fired by the enthusiasm of his fair vision of a higher journalism, Dr.
Surtaine had been walking up and down, enlivening, with swinging arms,
the chief points of his Paean of Policy. Now he dropped into his chair
and with a change of voice said:

"Never mind about that retraction, Hal."

"No?"

"No. Forget it. When do you start in work?"

"To-morrow."

"You must save to-morrow evening."

"For what?"

"You're invited to the Festus Willards'. Mrs. Willard was particularly
anxious you should come."

"But I don't know them, Dad."

"Doesn't matter. It's about the most exclusive house in town. A cut
above me, I can tell you. I've never so much as set foot in it."

"Then I won't go," declared his son, flushing.

"Yes: you must," insisted his father anxiously. "Don't mind about me.
I'm not ambitious socially. I told you some folks don't like the
business. It's too noisy. But you won't throw out any echoes. You'll go,
Boyee?"

"Since you want me to, of course, sir. But I shan't find much time for
play if I'm to learn my new trade."

"Oh, you can hire good teachers," laughed his father. "Well, I'm
sleepy. Good-night, Mr. Editor."

"Good-night, Dad. I could use some sleep myself." But thought shared the
pillow with Hal Surtaine's head. Try as he would to banish the
contestants, Dr. Surtaine's Paean of Policy and McGuire Ellis's
impassioned declaration of faith did batt