The following week he had written the second article and the boys gave him another check. He pinned that up over the other. "I like to look at them," was his only explanation, as he saw Edward's inquiring glance one morning.
The third check was treated the same way. When they handed him the fourth, one morning, as he was pinning it up over the others, he asked: "When do you get your money from the newspapers?"
He was told that the bills were going out that morning for the four letters constituting a month's service.
"I see," he remarked.
A fortnight passed, then one day Mr. Beecher asked: "Well, how are the checks coming in?"
"Very well," he was assured.
"Suppose you let me see how much you've got in," he suggested, and the boys brought the accounts to him.
After looking at them he said: "That's very interesting. How much have you in the bank?"
He was told the balance, less the checks given to him. "But I haven't turned them in yet," he explained. "Anyhow, you have enough in bank to meet the checks you have given me, and a profit besides, haven't you?"
He was assured they had.