fore. What does he want?"

Our hero explained.

"Very well, we will do it."

"Can you have it done before two o'clock?"

"Impossible. I am just bringing out my paper."

"When can you have the job finished?"

"To-morrow noon."

"I suppose that will do. We perform to-morrow at Berlin and they can be
sent over to the hotel there."

"You say 'we,'" answered Harry, amused. "I take tickets, and assist him
generally."

"How do you like the business?"

"Very well; but I should like your business better."

"What makes you think so?"

"I have been reading the 'Life of Benjamin Franklin.' He was a printer."

"That's true; but I'm sorry to say Franklins are scarce in our printing
offices. I never met one yet."

"I shouldn't expect to turn out a Franklins; but I think one couldn't
help being improved by the business."

"True again, though, of course, it depends on the wish to improve. How
long have you been working for Professor Henderson?"

"Not long. Only two or three weeks."

"What did you do before?"

"I was pegger in a shoe shop."

"Didn't you like it?"

"Well enough, for I needed to earn money and it paid me; but I don't
think I should like to be a shoemaker all my life. It doesn't give any
chance to learn."

"Then you like learning?"

"Yes. 'Live and learn'--that is my motto."

"It is a good one. Do you mean to be a printer?"

"If I get a chance."

"You may come into my office on the first of April, if you like. One of
my men will leave me by the first of May. If you are a smart boy, and
really wish to learn the business, you can break in so as to be useful
in four weeks."

"I should like it," said Harry; "but," he added, with hesitation, "I am
poor, and could not afford to work for nothing while I was learning."

"I'll tell you what I'll do, then," said the editor. "I'll give you your
board for the first month, on condition that you'll work for six months
afterwards for two dollars a week and board. That's a fair offer. I
wouldn't make it if I didn't feel assured that you were smart, and would
in time be valuable to me."

"I'll come if my father does not object."

"Quite tight. I should not like to have you act contrary to his wishes.
I suppose, for the present, you will remain with Professor Henderson."

"Yes, sir."

"Very well. Let me hear from you when you have communicated with your
father."

Harry left the office plunged in thought. It came upon him with
surprise, that he had