Part 23 (1/2)

”Let me have a look at that book,” he said.

Eliph' picked up the book and tucked it under his arm.

”And at that minute came the cry of 'Fire!'” he said. ”And I thought of poor Bill Rossiter up there on the third floor, shut off from all hope of rescue-----”

Skinner reached down to his cash drawer and pulled it open. He took out a dollar bill and held it toward Eliph'. The book agent ignored it.

”Think of it,” he said. ”Bill Rossiter on the third floor, burning up, and me on the floor below with this book in my hand reading off of page 418 the names of the simple ingredients that would----”

”Mebby I might as well pay the whole five right now,” said Skinner, taking four more dollars out of his drawer. ”Could you leave that book with me?”

”I will, as a special favor,” said Eliph'.

”Well, say,” said Skinner, ”I'll be mortally obliged to you if you will.

It will take a mighty load off of my mind.”

And when Eliph' left the butcher shop he had, for the first time in his life, sold his sample copy.

CHAPTER XVIII. Another Trial

When Eliph' stepped out of the butcher shop he saw T. J. Jones across the street, returning from his interview with Mrs. Smith, and the book agent hailed him and crossed the street. The editor wore a hara.s.sed look as Eliph' stepped up to him, and it deepened when Eliph' asked him if he had acceded to Mrs. Smith's request.

”Hewlitt,” he said, ”I couldn't do it. I wanted to, but I couldn't. The man was willing but the editor had to refuse. The press cannot sink the public welfare to favor individuals; once the freedom of the press is lost the nation relapses into sodden corruption. I told Mrs. Smith so.

And besides, I have the whole article in type, too. I like Mrs. Smith, and I like Miss Sally, but the hissing cobra of corruption must be crunched beneath the heel of a free and independent press. The TIMES must do its duty, let the chips fall where they may.”

”'The pen is mightier than the sword,' page 233, Apt Quotations for All Occasions,” said Eliph', ”this being one of three thousand quotations, arranged alphabetically according to subject, as 'Bird--in the hand, Bird--of a feather, Bird--killing two with one stone,' et cetery, including 'Leap--look before you,' and 'Sure--be sure you're right, then go ahead.' What do you mean to print?”

The editor told him all he had been able to gather regarding the matte of the fire-extinguishers, and as he talked Eliph' saw the butcher leave his shop and enter the drug store--he was after chemicals. He turned to the editor with fresh a.s.surance.

”See page 88, 'Every Man his Own Lawyer,'” he said, ”giving all that it is necessary for any man to know regarding the laws of his native land, including laws of business, how to draw up legal papers, what const.i.tutes libel, et cetery. This one division alone being worth the whole cost of the book, showing among other things what a paper should print and what it should not. Jarby's Encyclopedia of Knowledge and Compendium of Literature, Science and Art is a marvelous work, including as it does the chapter on 'Fire--Its Traditions--How to Make a Fire Without Matches--Fire Fighting--Fire Extinguishers, How Made,' et cetery, containing directions by which man, woman or butcher can convert lung-testers into approved fire-extinguishers at a cost of only twenty-six cents. It is a good book. I just sold Mr. Skinner one.”

He watched the editor's face as the meaning of his words dawned on it, and added:

”Miss Briggs has a copy, morocco binding, including among ten thousand and one subjects 'What Const.i.tutes Libel.'”

”Then those fire-extinguishers will be all right, after all?” said the editor. ”You want to look out how you trifle with the press. The press never forgives nor forgets.”

”Those lung-testers, prepared according to Jarby's Encyclopedia of Knowledge and Compendium of Literature, Science and Art, would put out the flames of the fiery furnace prepared for Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego, mentioned in 'Bible Tales,' Condensed and Put into Words of One Syllable for Children,' page 569, Jarby's Encyclopedia,” said Eliph'

airily. ”They would satisfy an investigation committee of imps, or other experts.”

The editor thought for a minute and Eliph' looked at him and smiled, gently combing his whiskers with his fingers.

”That's all right,” said the editor. ”That lets Miss Sally out, and it may satisfy Skinner, but it don't do away with the bribery. Mayor St.i.tz was bribed and he admits it. He says he was, and he brags about it.

Guthrie bribed him, and I've got enough left to give St.i.tz and Guthrie a good shot. I'll leave Skinner and Miss Briggs out, but I'll go for St.i.tz and Guthrie. I'll show them that in Kilo the press is alert, wide awake, and not to be trifled with. I'll teach them a lesson.”

”So do!” said Eliph'. ”And make Miss Sally mad. And make Mrs. Smith mad.

And make Miss Susan mad. And me. So do, and have Tolle tell them that he did not want you to print it, and that he went up and fought you to get you not to print it. So do, and instead of having Miss Sally and Mrs.