Chester enjoyed his supper. Mr. Morris, though a minister, had none of the starched dignity that many of his profession think it necessary to assume. He was kindly and genial, with a pleasant humor that made him agreeable company for the young as well as the old. Mr. Conrad spoke much of New York and his experiences there, and Chester listened to him eagerly.
“You have never been to New York, Chester?” said the young artist.
“No, sir, but I have read about it—and dreamed about it. Sometime I hope to go there.”
“I think that is the dream of every country boy. Well, it is the country boys that make the most successful men.”
“How do you account for that, Herbert?” asked the minister.
“Generally they have been brought up to work, and work more earnestly than the city boys.”
When the supper table was cleared, Mr. Conrad took from his valise two or three of the latest issues of Puck, Judge and Life. He handed them to Chester, who looked over them eagerly.
“Do you ever contribute to these papers, Mr. Conrad?” he asked.
“Yes; here is a sketch in Judge, and another in Life, which I furnished.”
“And do you get good pay for them?”