"Oh, plenty. But all others are published for local interests, and rarely circulate outside of their city or township." "And you mean to tell me that this paper is the newspaper of the whole country? It must be quite stale ere it reaches many portions of this nation." "Not at all. It is simultaneously printed in over five hundred different cities, and no copy has to be sent far to reach its subscriber. For instance: this copy is printed in this city; the copies for New York, in New York; and those for San Francisco, in that town." "But the heading reads: 'America, September 19, 2000?'" "That is the original paper. At America, the type is set and form made from which copies are taken and reprinted throughout the nation." "You astonish me; pray explain yourself." "America," and Hugh wheeled his chair closer to Cobb, "is a small town on the Central Sea, in the old State of Kentucky. All the news of the world is telegraphed to this place, and set in form for printing. Copies of this form are then transmitted by telegraph to every city which is to reproduce the paper--a very simple operation." "Yes," dubiously; "very simple, indeed!" "But let us not discuss the subject now; I will take you to America, and show you the whole system." And the subject of the "Daily American" rested. At this moment Captain Hathaway entered the room, bowing to both of the gentlemen. "Good evening, Hugh," he exclaimed, extending his hand. Then to Cobb: "Good evening, Mr. Cobb." "Colonel, sir; _Colonel_ Cobb. You forget you are addressing your superior officer." As Hugh spoke, he gave the other a severe look, as if to say, "How do you like it?" The story of young Hathaway's discourtesy toward Cobb that morning had been told him. Captain Hathaway blushed, and turning toward Cobb, said, apologetically: "I am cognizant of your good fortune and new rank. I congratulate you. You will pardon my rudeness to you this morning, will you not, Colonel Cobb? Some time I will explain why I so far forgot myself," and he dropped his eyes to the floor. "Captain Hathaway, let it be forgotten," frankly extending his hand. "Let us be friends, not enemies." Hathaway grasped the hand and wrung it with a sincere grasp of friendship. Then, saluting Cobb, he reported to him for orders. "You are under orders to join your regiment, are you not?" "Yes, sir." "Do you wish to go?" "Well, to tell you the truth, there is every reason for wishing to remain; but they will not allow me to do so," sadly. "Who will not?" "The President; for I have applied to him personally." "It is rather early for me to go against the wishes of the President," and he looked at Hugh; "but you are directed to report to me for orders, and I must give them to you." "And I must join." Hathaway spoke in a resigned manner. "And you will stay in Washington until further orders," looking at him kindly. "Colonel, I thank you." Cobb had made one more friend.