“You look older. Well, keep at it, and one of these days you may make the grade.”
Only slightly encouraged by the words, Jimmy pocketed his samples and left the office. Rather than face the knowing glance of the elevator man, he walked down three flights of steps to the street.
For months now, since graduating from Brandale High School, he had tried without success to obtain a staff position on a newspaper. There was scarcely a newspaper or syndicate in town where he had not been flatly rejected at least once a week. Few editors were as decent about it as Riley of the _Ledger_.
Jimmy shifted his camera to a more comfortable position, and wandered aimlessly down a street leading toward the waterfront. Where would one find picture material which packed a punch? It was all very well to talk about being in a place where news was breaking, but buildings didn’t explode or ships sink just to oblige an ambitious photographer. His prospect of ever landing a job on the _Ledger_ seemed pretty hopeless.
“Hi, Jimmy!” called a familiar voice. “What are you doing in this part of town?”
Hearing his name, Jimmy turned to see Jerry Hayes, a boy who lived on his street, lounging in the doorway of a corner drugstore.
“Hello, Jerry,” he answered briefly. “Just out job hunting.”
Jerry fell into step with him. “No luck, I’ll bet.”
“It’s the same old story. There’s no place for a beginner.”
“Why don’t you quit playing around with that camera of yours and start looking for other kind of work?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Jimmy returned. “I’ve spent a lot of time learning how to take pictures. My father was city editor on the _Brandale Post_—that was years ago before the paper folded. I sort of figured I would follow a newspaper career, too.”
“You’ve had a tough time of it since your father died, Jimmy.”
“It’s been worse for Mother than it has for me. What I need is a job.”
“The Red Ball Chain Store is looking for a delivery boy. Why don’t you apply there?”
They had reached the next corner where the Green Hut Hamburger Diner stood. Jerry paused.
“Let’s have one, Jimmy,” he proposed. “I’ll treat.”
Jimmy hesitated, then shook his head. Lately he had accepted entirely too many favors from his friend.
“Oh, come along,” Jerry urged, pulling him through the doorway.