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Read Ebook: Paul and the Printing Press by Bassett Sara Ware Scott A O Arthur O Illustrator
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Ebook has 1142 lines and 46419 words, and 23 pages
"You absolutely refuse to ask him?"
Melville turned a wretched face toward Paul.
"I'd do most anything for you, Kip," he said miserably. "You know that. But I couldn't ask favors of my father for you or anybody else. He isn't like other people. I'd go to any one else in a minute. But Father's so--well, it would just take more nerve than I've got. He's all right, though. Don't think he isn't. It's only that he's pretty stiff. I'm afraid of him; straight goods, I am."
Paul nodded.
"I see."
There was an awkward pause.
"Would you have any objection to somebody else going to him?"
"You?"
"Possibly."
"Not the least in the world," Melville declared. "I don't see why you shouldn't if you want to take a chance. You'll have no luck, though."
"He couldn't any more than kick me out."
"He'll do that all right!" Melville exclaimed, with a grin.
"What if he does?" asked the editor-in-chief with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Well, if you don't mind being turned down and swept out of the office before your mouth is fairly open, go ahead."
"I shan't go to the office," responded Paul deliberately. "I shall go around to the house."
"Good heavens!"
"Why not?"
"Well, I don't know why--only it makes Father as mad as hops to be disturbed about business after he gets home."
"I'm not supposed to know that, am I?"
"N--o."
"Then I shall come to the house," reiterated Paul firmly. "Your father will have more leisure there and I think he will be more likely to listen."
"He won't listen to you anywhere."
"We'll see whether he will or not," said Paul. "At least I can make my try and convince myself."
"It'll be no use, Kip," persisted Melville. "I hate to have you disappointed, old chap."
"I shan't be disappointed," said Paul kindly. "I shan't allow myself to expect much. Even if your father does turn me down he may give me a useful pointer or two."
"He won't do anything for you," Melville asserted dubiously. "He'll just have nothing to do with it."
In spite of Paul's optimism he was more than half of Melville's opinion.
Mr. Carter was well known throughout Burmingham as a stern, austere man whom people feared rather than loved. He had the reputation of being shrewd, close-fisted, and sharp at a bargain,--a person of few friends and many enemies. He was a great fighter, carrying a grudge to any length for the sheer pleasure of gratifying it. Therefore many a more mature and courageous promoter than Paul Cameron had shrunk from approaching him with a business proposition.
Fortunately or unfortunately--Paul was uncertain which--the capitalist was at home and at leisure; and with beating heart the boy was ushered into the presence of this illustrious gentleman.
Mr. Carter greeted him politely but with no cordiality.
"So you're Paul Cameron. I've had dealings with your father," he remarked dryly. "What can I do for you?"
Paul's courage ebbed. The question was crisp and direct, demanding a reply of similar tenor. With a gulp of apprehension the lad struggled to make an auspicious opening for his subject; but no words came to his tongue.
"Perhaps you brought a message from your father," suggested the great man, after he had waited impatiently for an interval.
Paul nodded silently.
The title took on a ludicrous incongruity as it fell from his lips.
Mr. Carter made no comment. He seemed too stunned with amazement to do so.
"We want to make it a really good paper," went on Paul desperately. "The school has never had a paper before, but I don't see why it shouldn't. We're all studying English and writing compositions. Why shouldn't we write something for publication?"
"Why, indeed!"
There was a note of sarcasm, or was it ridicule, in the words, that put Paul on his mettle.
"We intend to make it a good, dignified magazine," he went on quickly. "We plan to have the school news and some more serious articles in it. We've got a managing board, and an editorial staff, and all the things papers have."
"And why do you come to me?"
"Because we need a printer."
"You wish me to print this remarkable document?"
Paul smiled ingenuously. "Yes, sir." There was a silence. Mr. Carter seemed too dumfounded to speak.
"You see," went on the boy, "getting out a paper would give us fellows some business experience and at the same time some practice in writing. I believe we could make the thing pay, too."
"How many subscribers have you?"
"I had two last night--myself and another boy," Paul replied. "But to-day I have a hundred and fifty; by to-morrow I expect to add about two hundred more."
"Your circulation increases rapidly," remarked Mr. Carter, the shadow of a smile on his face.
"Yes, sir, it does," came innocently from Paul.
"How many numbers would you wish to issue annually?"
"Ten. We'd want to bring out a paper the first of each month from October to June. With our studies, that would be about all we could handle, I guess."
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