“So you want a job, do you? Well, that’s a laudable ambition; but I am afraid you have come to the wrong place.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” said Herbert.
Noah Brooks looked at Herbert again before replying, and then moving slightly and raising the index finger of his right hand, he pointed to the rear of the room and said:
“Do you see those fellows over there?”
Herbert looked around and saw a man engaged in setting type, while a boy with a great big ink roller in one hand was engaged in taking a proof of a circular that was about to be printed.
“Yes sir,” he answered obediently; “I see them.”
“Well, do you know,” said the old gentleman with a chuckle, “that about all those two fellows do is to sit around and wait for Saturday night in order to draw their salaries.”
The humor of this seemed to appeal to the speaker so strongly that he had to pause and engage in a hearty laugh before proceeding. The man and the boy did not appear to be offended. On the contrary, they laughed too, as if they were accustomed to the good-natured jests of their employer.
“I am very sorry,” said Herbert, breaking the silence; “but I was really anxious to get employment on this paper—I have long wished to enter the newspaper business.”
“Is that so? Do you know anything about the business?”