The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-20

well, good deal" said Mr.. Bick-
ford smiling. II hold the note"
You hold the note!" exclaimed Ar
cher. why 7 thought 1t was the Lud-
wig estate that father gave the note
| to-"
So 1t was until secured it. The
Ludwigs have gone abroad"
Father knew nothing of this
transfer am sure" said Archer, try
ing to appear cheerful.
HE knew Of course, the Press was
not free from membranes, and
whether he was aware of the eN-
change or not Is none Of my business.
My object in calling on you is to
know II the note can be met. In case
the outlook Is poor one. ! am pre-.
pared to make this proposition. I will
take the Press off your hands; give
you onc-thousand dollars bonus, and
! call 1t square,"
There was silence in the room for a
moment. then Archer began to speak,
trying to be calm.
mir. RckfOrd, you assume because
I am little more than a boy. and am
now running the Press, that we will
soon have to suspend pubica ton. |
may be vain and not know my lmita-
tion, but as long as I can draw breath,
the Press will never pass into your
hands to be merged into the Herald.
Neither vii! 1t suspend publication.
Further your note will be paid. Good
morning"
Mr.. BickfOrd arose, wrathy and red
in the face. IT have given you your
choice, and you will be sorry you did
not take it," With which he stalked
out of the room. Beebee having come
into the office during the talk, heard
the -gist of the conversation. Now
what shall we do?" were his first
words.
There is only one thing can think
Of said Archer slowly. rs advertise
in the other papers that prize of So
Willy be given THE competitor who
writes the best ending for our serial
story.
We will run it two more weeks and
then allow the finishing chapter to be
written by the competitors.
OF course they will have to read
the first installments to get the
thread Of the stcry. and this will
necessitate them sending in for sub
scription to the Press.
"Capital' said Beebce. '"Then we
will publish the best OF the different
endings as they come in. and thus let
our readers compare the different
ways one subject may be treated. That
will fill space in the paper too
The letters containing the adver-
tsing matter concelrning the prize,
were sent out the first thing the next
morning and then ended a wait of
several days for results. Sure enough
the Press seemed to be Catching on
for never before had so many letters
come to the Press Office in one day.
Dollar bills for one years subscription
came in with gratifying rapidity,
while unexpected demands were made
for advertising space. Archer figured
it al: out OF the end of the week. and
decided If this was kept up for two
weeks more. he could pay tho indebt-
cdness of the Press off. Whether it
was owing to the prize offer or Bee
bees humorous paragraphs, Archer
had no time to determine, for the
business of the Press had so increased
that he was almost bewldered by his
success. Both Beebee and Archer
were fairly overwhelmed with work
and We're at their desks from seven to
six, while Archer worked on his story
at home during the evenings. The
time quickly sped away and the story
contest was closed. Promptly to time
also came Mr.. Bickford to the Press
office. happy smile was on Ar
cher's face as he realized that he
could now pay off the much dreaded
mortgage. Sitting down he quickly
wrote the check for the desired
amount payable to Eently Bickford,
and handed it to the astounded man,
who distrusted that crooked work had
been done somehow, and hinted at
such. Archer determined to give the
holiday, and accordingly himself spent
the rest of the day at home. Mr..
Trevford was now able to move about |
and would be strong enough to take
up his work again soon. He had |
spoken to Archer about the note he |
had given. only week ago, but Ar |
cher had vaguely hinted that the mat
ter was all right.
1t was a happy day for Archer when |
he escorted his father up the steps and |
into the Press office where he showed |
him with boyish pride the many |
changes. and lastly the books showing |
the business being doEe He did not |
forget either to speak of Beebee in |
glowing terms. After comprehending
it all Mr.. Trevford turned to his son |
and said my dear hoy, how shall |
express the pride l have in YOU for |
what you have done for the Press"
The way he did express it was to
make Archer permanent editor with
Eeebee his able assistant.