“But you—­I can hardly realize that you, whom I knew only two or three years since as a printer’s apprentice (I won’t use Fletcher’s word), have lifted yourself to the responsible position of sole editor.  Truly you have risen from the ranks!

“Speaking of Fletcher, by the way, you know he is my classmate.  He occupies an honorable position somewhere near the foot of the class, where he is likely to stay, unless he receives from the faculty leave of absence for an unlimited period.  I met him yesterday, swinging his little cane, and looking as dandified as he used to.

“‘Hallo!  Fletcher,’ said I, ’I’ve just got a letter from a friend of yours.’

“‘Who is it?’ he asked.

“‘Harry Walton.’

“‘He never was a friend of mine,’ said Fitz, turning up his delicately chiselled nose,—­’the beggarly printer’s devil!’

“I hope you won’t feel sensitive about the manner in which Fitz spoke of you.

“‘You’ve made two mistakes,’ said I.  ’He’s neither a beggar nor a printer’s devil.’

“‘He used to be,’ retorted Fitz.

“’The last, not the first.  You’ll be glad to hear that he’s getting on well.’

“‘Has he had his wages raised twenty-five cents a week?’ sneered Fitz.

“‘He has lost his place,’ said I.

“Fletcher actually looked happy, but I dashed his happiness by adding, ‘but he’s got a better one.’

“‘What’s that?’ he snarled.

“’He has bought out the paper of Mr. Anderson, and is now sole editor and part proprietor.’

“’A boy like him buy a paper, without a cent of money and no education!’

“’You are mistaken.  He had several hundred dollars, and as a writer he is considerably ahead of either of us.’

“‘He’ll run the paper into the ground,’ said Fitz, prophetically.

“‘If he does, it’ll only be to give it firmer root.’

“‘You are crazy about that country lout,’ said Fitz.  ’It isn’t much to edit a little village paper like that, after all.’

“So you see what your friend Fitz thinks about it.  As you may be in danger of having your vanity fed by compliments from other sources, I thought I would offset them by the candid opinion of a disinterested and impartial scholar like Fitz.

“I told my father of the step you have taken.  ‘Oscar,’ said he, ’that boy is going to succeed.  He shows the right spirit.  I would have given him a place on my paper, but very likely he does better to stay where he is.’

“Perhaps you noticed the handsome notice he gave you in his paper yesterday.  I really think he has a higher opinion of your talents than of mine; which, of course, shows singular lack of discrimination.  However, you’re my friend, and I won’t make a fuss about it.

“I am cramming for the summer examinations and hot work I find it, I can tell you.  This summer I am going to Niagara, and shall return by way of the St. Lawrence and Montreal, seeing the Thousand Islands, the rapids, and so on.  I may send you a letter or two for the ‘Gazette,’ if you will give me a puff in your editorial columns.”