“He’ll be offended if I don’t print it, won’t he?”

“I’ll tell you how to get over that.  Say, in an editorial paragraph, ’We have received a thoughtful essay from ‘L.  S.’, on ’The Immortality of the Soul.’  We regret that its length precludes our publishing it in the ‘Gazette.’  We would suggest to the author to print it in a pamphlet.’  That suggestion will be regarded as complimentary, and we may get the job of printing it.”

“I see you are shrewd, Ferguson.  I will follow your advice.”

CHAPTER XXXIII.

AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL.

During his temporary editorship, Harry did not feel at liberty to make any decided changes in the character or arrangement of the paper; but he was ambitious to improve it, as far as he was able, in its different departments.  Mr. Anderson had become rather indolent in the collection of local news, merely publishing such items as were voluntarily contributed.  Harry, after his day’s work was over, made a little tour of the village, gathering any news that he thought would be of interest to the public.  Moreover he made arrangements to obtain news of a similar nature from neighboring villages, and the result was, that in the course of a month he made the “Gazette” much more readable.

“Really, the ‘Gazette’ gives a good deal more news than it used to,” was a common remark.

It was probably in consequence of this improvement that new subscriptions began to come in, not from Centreville alone, but from towns in the neighborhood.  This gratified and encouraged Harry, who now felt that he was on the right tack.

There was another department to which he devoted considerable attention.  This was a condensed summary of news from all parts of the world, giving the preference and the largest space, of course, to American news.  He aimed to supply those who did not take a daily paper with a brief record of events, such as they would not be likely, otherwise, to hear of.  Of course all this work added to his labors as compositor; and his occasional sketches for Boston papers absorbed a large share of his time.  Indeed, he had very little left at his disposal for rest and recreation.

“I am afraid you are working too hard, Harry,” said Ferguson.  “You are doing Mr. Anderson’s work better than he ever did it, and your own too.”

“I enjoy it,” said Harry.  “I work hard I know, but I feel paid by the satisfaction of finding that my labors are appreciated.”

“When Mr. Anderson gets back, he will find it necessary to employ you as assistant editor, for it won’t do to let the paper get back to its former dulness.”

“I will accept,” said Harry, “if he makes the offer.  I feel more and more that I must be an editor.”

“You are certainly showing yourself competent for the position.”

“I have only made a beginning,” said our hero, modestly.  “In time I think I could make a satisfactory paper.”