Jake, who had nearly forgotten his fight, was elated at the proposition of his father, and, being asked whether, in his opinion, he could conduct a paper with ability, originality and success, replied, in the slang phrase of the day, that he “could n’t do anything else,” at the same time clenching his fist, as though to convince his sire that he could do something else, notwithstanding.

“As I have never asked you any question relative to public affairs, and as the people of this generation are getting to be wise, I deem it right that I should ask you a few questions before endeavoring to obtain a situation.  Now, Jake, who is the President of the United States?”

“General George Washington,” replied the intelligent lad, or rather young man; for, though he indulged in many boyish tricks, he was about twenty years of age, a short, dull-looking member of the “great unwashed.”  The father intimated that he was mistaken; the son persisted in saying that he was not.

“Never mind the catechizer,” said Jake; “I’ll conduct a newspaper, I will, for Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs never see the day I could n’t conduct anything.”

“That’s bright,” said Mrs. Stubbs; “he possesses more talent than I was aware of; he’ll make an editor.”

“An’ he shall,” said the father, resolutely.

The clock struck nine, which was the signal for Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs to retire, and they did so.  No sooner had they left than their dutiful son mounted the table, and, taking down the fancy bust, pulled the dog by the tail to awake him, and set him barking at it.  The cat must have her part in the tragedy, so Jake thought; and, pulling her by the tail, she was soon on the field of action.

“Now, sist-a-boy, Tozer; give her an editorial,” said he; and, as dog and cat had been through the same performance before, they acted their parts in manner suiting.  The dog barked, the cat snapped and snarled, and Jake Stubbs stood by rubbing his hands in a perfect ecstasy of delight.

It is needless for us to relate the many curious adventures Mr. Stubbs met with whilst searching for a situation for Jake.

His endeavors to find a situation such as he wanted were, for a long time, ineffectual.  At length he blundered into a small printing-office, where three men and a boy were testing the merits of half a dozen doughnuts, and a bottle of root beer.

Mr. Stubbs was very sorry to disturb them.  When he mentioned his errand, one of the men-a tall fellow, with check shirt and green apron-said that he had, for a long time, contemplated starting a paper, but, as he was not capable of editing one, he had not carried out his intention.  The principal reason why he had not published was, he was poor; business had not prospered in his hands, and an outlay of two thousand dollars would be needed to commence and continue the paper.

“Very well,” replied Mr. Stubbs, “that is a large sum; but, if there is no doubt of its being returned, I might think of loaning it to you, for the sake of getting my talented son into business.”