Harry felt drawn to him by a feeling which was not long in ripening into friendship.
Imitating the other's frankness, he also took off his hat and replied,—
"Let me introduce myself, in turn, as Harry Walton, junior apprentice in the office of the 'Centreville Gazette,' sometimes profanely called 'printer's devil.'"
"Good!" said Oscar, laughing. "How do you like the business?"
"I think I shall like it, but I have only just started in it. I went into the office for the first time to-day."
"I have an uncle who started as you are doing," said Oscar. "He is now chief editor of a daily paper in Boston."
"Is he?" said Harry, with interest. "Did he find it hard to rise?"
"He is a hard worker. I have heard him say that he used to sit up late of nights during his apprenticeship, studying and improving himself."
"That is what I mean to do," said Harry.
"I don't think he was as lazy as his nephew," said Oscar. "I am afraid if I had been in his place I should have remained in it."