“Explanatory” has much to say about my son.
The facts are these:
My son had been under Dr. Girdner’s professional treatment. He soon began to show a marked improvement, and I realized the helpfulness to my boy of giving him something to do. He was naturally eager to work with his father. I, therefore, went to the Business Manager and sought work for my son, just as I would have done for a stranger.
I said, both to Mr. Green and Col. Mann, “I don’t know how he will do, or what he will be worth, but please give him a trial. If he makes good, pay him what the work is worth. If he does not make good, I will not expect you to keep him, and you can charge his salary up to me during the time he will have been here.”
That’s exactly the way it was. My son commenced work, and when I next went to New York all of them told me—and were apparently delighted to tell me—that he had made good.
From Dr. Girdner down, they all spoke affectionately of him, and declared that he was one of the steadiest, quietest employes at the office.
As his strength returned, his usefulness increased and I advanced him to more important and responsible duties than had at first been put upon him.
To encourage my boy, and bring out what was best in him, I did advance him from time to time. Who will blame me for wanting to make a man out of my only son?
It was my most earnest desire to train my son in journalism, so that he could take my place when I should have served out my time and passed away:—to that purpose I still cling with a resolution that nothing can break.
At the time DeFrance and Col. Mann kicked him out, he was doing the “News Record” and “The Say of Other Editors.” He was doing it well, as the Magazine will show for itself.