"Mates," he cried, "look out to-morrow morning for the first number of the Princetown Argus. Who'll subscribe?"
"I will," and "I will," answered a dozen voices, and the enterprising printer, who had staked his all on the venture, was immediately engaged in receiving subscriptions for his newspaper, and entering the names in a memorandum book. His face became flushed, the anxious look fled from his eyes; in less than half an hour he had thirty pounds in his pockets.
"Go and get me some news," he said, addressing his audience generally. "Never mind what it is, I'll put it into shape."
"William," cried the woman from the tent, "you must come and help me to put up the press."
While the two were thus engaged, a good-natured fellow in the open took upon himself the task of receiving additional subscribers and when the press was set up, and the master printer made his appearance again, a matter of twenty pounds was handed to him by his self-constituted lieutenant.
"Fifty pounds," whispered the adventurer to his wife. "A good start."
She nodded, beaming, and proceeded with her work, assisted by her husband. He had announced the initial number of the Princetown Argus for the next morning, and out it would have to come. This would necessitate their stopping up all night, but what did the matter? They were establishing a property, and, were already regarded as perhaps the most important arrival in the new township. In the middle of their work a visitor presented himself. The printer was spreading ink upon the ink table and getting his roller in order, when his visitor opened up a conversation.
"The Princetown Argus, eh?"
"Yes."
"A good move. The first number to-morrow morning?"