tly not alive to Trevor's slang. "What do
you mean?"

"Why," returned his professional adviser, with a smile at the rustic
ignorance, "haven't you seen advertisements in the daily papers
something like this: 'The editor of a well-known provincial weekly has
an opening for journalistic pupil. Moderate premium. Small salary after
first six months'? There's your opportunity."

"Ah, I see the idea," said Henry, upon whom a light had dawned.

"What do you say to that?" Trevor pursued.

"Yes, that might do, and no doubt dad would 'shell out,' as you call it.
But is there any such vacancy at present?"

"If there isn't, the Balmy One--that's another of our pet names for Old
Springthorpe, the editor--will jolly soon make one, provided your pater
is ready with the dibs. Write your gov'nor about it, and if he's open to
spring twenty-five golden quid, leave the rest to me."

To Henry the suggestion seemed a good one, and he wondered that he had
waited so long before getting Trevor to bring the situation to so
practical an issue. The fact was, Mr. Smith rather liked the fun of
patronising the youth, to say nothing of his share in the weekly hamper,
and Henry's willingness to render slight but useful assistance by
attending an occasional meeting on his behalf. Accordingly, he had not
been anxious to lose his company too soon.

To Edward John Charles his son's letter, with its bold proposal, came
with somewhat of surprise. It had never occurred to him to couple the
Press with "Literatoor," but he said at once that if Henry felt
journalism was good enough for him, why, he would help him to become an
editor with as much pleasure as he would have set him up in the
egg-and-butter trade, had he been so minded.

Within a week the postmaster took another journey to Stratford, and
thence by train to Wheelton, together with Henry, to interview Mr.
Martin Springthorpe, editor of the _Wheelton Guardian_, to whom Mr.
Charles carried a letter of introduction from Trevor Smith, wherein that
gentleman averred he had taken great personal interest in the literary
work of Henry Charles, and had even been able to make use of sundry
items from his pen. He commended him to Mr. Springthorpe's best
consideration.

Trevor had also taken the trouble to write privily to his chief, saying
that he thought Mr. Charles would come down to the tune of
five-and-twenty pounds, and not to frighten him off by asking more.