"But why do you come to me out of all persons?" I inquired. "I'm neither an editor, nor have I proven my abilities in any other manner!"
"Let me worry about this! I've heard much about you, and, most of all, I've read your manuscripts. I know about these things. You're the one I need!"
"But I'm planning entirely different things, and no one will persuade me to work for the colportage!"
"Because you don't know it. Good things can just as well be achieved by it. What are your plans anyway?"
I explained my plans to him. This kindled his enthusiasm; he became passionate for them. He was one of these people, who enjoy talking ravingly about the higher matters, but make their living of the low things.
"That's really excellent, perfectly excellent!" he exclaimed. "And you can achieve all of this with me, the best and fastest way is with me!"
"Why?"
"You'll have this stuff printed by me, and you'll destroy this Freytag and his new magazine with this!"
"This would really make things easier. But what if I don't like your `Observer by the River Elbe'? After all, I don't know it."
"So, we'll discontinue it, and you'll found a new magazine in its place!"