“Who is Bayard Taylor, that made such a cheap tour in Europe?” asked Harry, soon afterward.

“A young journalist who had a great desire to travel.  He has lately published an account of his tour.  I don’t buy many books, but I bought that.  Would you like to read it?”

“Very much.”

“You can have it any time.”

“Thank you.”

On Monday, a very agreeable surprise awaited Harry.

“I am out of copy,” he said, going up to Mr. Anderson’s table.

“Here’s a selection for the first page,” said Mr. Anderson.  “Cut it in two, and give part of it to Clapp.”

Could Harry believe his eyes!  It was his own article on ambition, and it was to be reproduced in the “Gazette.”  Next to the delight of seeing one’s self in print for the first time, is the delight of seeing that first article copied.  It is a mark of appreciation which cannot be mistaken.

Still Harry said nothing, but, with a manner as unconcerned as possible, handed the lower half of the essay to Clapp to set up.  The signature “Franklin” had been cut off, and the name of the paper from which the essay had been cut was substituted.

“Wouldn’t Clapp feel disgusted,” thought Harry, “if he knew that he was setting up an article of mine.  I believe he would have a fit.”

He was too considerate to expose his fellow-workman to such a contingency, and went about his work in silence.

That evening he wrote to the publisher of the “Standard,” inclosing the price of two copies of the last number, which he desired should be sent to him by mail.  He wished to keep one himself, and the other he intended to forward to his father, who, he knew, would sympathize with him in his success as well as his aspirations.  He accompanied the paper by a letter in which he said,—­

“I want to improve in writing as much as, I can.  I want to be something more than a printer, sometime.  I shall try to qualify myself for an editor; for an editor can exert a good deal of influence in the community.  I hope you will approve my plans.”

In due time Harry received the following reply:—­

“My dear son:—­I am indeed pleased and proud to hear of your success, not that it is a great matter in itself, but because I think it shows that you are in earnest in your determination to win an honorable position by honorable labor.  I am sorry that my narrow means have not permitted me to give you those advantages which wealthy fathers can bestow upon their sons.  I should like to have sent you to college and given you an opportunity afterward of studying for a profession.  I think your natural abilities would have justified such an outlay.  But, alas! poverty has always held me back.  It shuts out you, as it has shut out me, from the chance of culture.  Your college, my boy, must be the printing office.  If you make the best of that, you will find that it is no mean instructor.  Not Franklin alone, but many of our most eminent and influential men have graduated from it.