The boy's sleep was sweet. He had decided the matter in his own heart, and had given himself a first lesson in what we would to-day call the new education. In this case it was an editorial education.
It was a lovely winter morning. There was joy in all Nature; the air was clear and keen; the Schuylkill rippled bright in the glory of the sun. He rose before the sun, and went to his work with a clear conscience, but probably dreading the anger of the patron when he should give him his decision.
When the baker's shop opened he may have bought another twopenny roll. He certainly sat down and ate one, with a dipper of water.
In the later hours of the morning the door opened, and the patron came in with a beaming face.
"Have you read it?"
"Yes, I have read the article, sir."
"Won't that be a good one? What did you think of it?"
"That I ought not to use it."
"Why?" asked the man, greatly astonished.
"I can not be sure that it would not do injustice to the person whom you have attacked. There are always two sides to a case. I myself would not like to be publicly ridiculed in that manner. Detraction leads to detraction, and hatred begets hate."