"Perhaps I will take it. I couldn't afford to do anything like regular rates, but perhaps by helping you out I can get a lot of advertising almost free. I tell you frankly that is my object, and I give you my word that no one shall know anything about the transaction." Mr. Marcus and his companion stared at Al in amazement. "Well," said the former, "you are a queer youngster. Who the mischief are you--another practical joker?" "No. I am Allen Allston, advance agent of Wattles' New York Comedy Company, which plays here to-morrow night." "A lad like you occupying a position like that?" exclaimed Mr. Marcus. "Just so, sir. Now, what will you let us have that page for?" "Perhaps your employer would repudiate the bill." "I'll pay it myself, right here and now." "I'll take you up. You can have the page for one hundred dollars. When can I have the copy?" "Not at all at that price," replied Al, coolly. "The page wouldn't be worth that much to us. I'll give you fifty dollars, cash now, and the copy in an hour or less." After a moment's hesitation, the proprietor of the _Bugle_ said: "Done! Give me the fifty dollars, and I'll give you a receipt for four hundred. But mind, mum's the word about this deal." "You may depend upon me, sir." "But," asked Mr. Marcus, "how are you going to have a full page of copy ready in an hour?" "I'll get it ready," replied Al. "Your foreman will have it on time." He handed the publisher the fifty dollars, and received a receipt for four hundred. "Well," said Mr. Marcus, "you have a head for business, and no mistake." "I hope so," said Al, modestly; "but this transaction does not prove it." "I think it does." "My overhearing your conversation was only blind luck." "Yes; but many a man would not have been smart and quick enough to take advantage of it. The successful business man is he who seizes upon the lucky accidents that others pass by, and turns them to his own advantage. You'll get along, my boy." CHAPTER XIV. AL'S AD. Mr. Marcus' words haunted Al for some time after their parting. "I don't know but there is something in that," the boy said to himself: "I'll look out for the lucky accidents after this." But the full-page advertisement had to be prepared in less than an hour, and Al had to turn his attention to its preparation. When he went to his room he had not the slightest idea what sort of an advertisement he was going to write; he only knew that it must be something taking and brief. "Brevity is the soul of wit, anyhow," he reflected, "so I don't believe I shall make any mistake on that point. But what shall I say in the ad.? I wonder if I haven't bitten off a little more than I can chew?" In half an hour he had the advertisement ready, and a few minutes later he presented himself with it at the office of the _Bugle_. Here everything was in confusion, but he found the foreman of the composing room ready and waiting for him.