How I Edited

Then they both plunged through the window with a great crash I was surprised

I did not take temporary editorship of an agricultural paper without misgivings. Neither would a landsman take command of a ship without misgivings. But I was in circumstances that made the salary an object. The regular editor of the paper was going off for a holiday and I accepted the terms he offered and took his place.

The sensation of being at work again was luxurious and I wrought all the week with unflagging pleasure. We went to press, and I waited a day with some solicitude to see whether my effort was going to attract any notice. As I left the office, towards sundown, a group of men and boys at the foot of the stairs dispersed with one impulse and gave me passageway, and I heard one or two of them say, Thats him I was naturally pleased by this incident. The next morning I found a similar group at the foot of the stairs and scattering couples and individuals standing here and there in the street and over the way watching me with interest. The group separated and fell back as I approached and I heard a man say Look at his eye I pretended not to observe the notice I was attracting but secretly I was pleased with it and was purposing to write an account of it to my aunt. I went up the short flight of stairs and heard cheery voices and a ringing laugh as I drew near the door which I opened and caught a glimpse of two young rural looking men whose faces blanched and lengthened when they saw me.