"Indeed!"
Jed had read from time to time squibs and witty paragraphs touching the poverty of editors, and this seemed to explain the shabby appearance of his new friend.
"What paper do you write for?" he ventured to ask.
"I contribute editorially to most of the city dailies. Sometimes I get as high as fifteen and twenty dollars a column."
Jed was rather surprised at this. He concluded that Mr. Hamilton Barry—for this was the name the stranger had given—was not a very good financial manager.
"That seems a high price," said Jed.
"Yes, but brain-work ought to be paid handsomely. Do you ever write for publication yourself?"
"Oh, no," said Jed, flattered nevertheless by the question. "I haven't education enough."
"I thought if you did I might get you something to do. But perhaps business is more in your line?"