“I resigned the position of associate editor because my salary had not been paid for several months, and from the methods of the company and the report of its treasurer I did not think it was likely to be paid in future.
“EXPLANATORY” has much to say about my son.
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.
He was being paid $40 per week. This was $10 per week _less_ than Edgerton had received for the same work.
When I gave my son the place, another position which he had filled acceptably to the Business Manager, at $15 per week, was abolished. _Thus, even at the highest salary ever paid my son, he saved the Company $25 per week._