"Doc Hall is an optimist," Ellis laughed hollowly. "I'm not so much concerned for myself as for the boy and his mother. You know what J. W. means to her." "Bill and I have already talked it over," Jap returned. "We're going to be big brothers to J. W. We're going to take turns at taking him for long rides on Judge Bowers's old horse, Jeremiah. Doc Hall said that long, jolty rides would set him up, rosy and fat, in a little while. Bill told me this morning that he had J. W. weighed again, on Hollins's scales, and he has gained three pounds." Ellis Hinton's face cleared. There was a new elasticity in his step as he crossed the room and laid the copy down on the case. Unconsciously he began to whistle, as he clicked the type in the stick. CHAPTER VIII Flossy came into the office, leading the boy by the hand, and called Ellis aside. Old Jeremiah had done wonders for the little fellow; but on Flossy Hinton's face there was a look that boded ill to some one. "I sent for Brother William to meet me here," she said crisply. "I want you to back up all that I say." Before Ellis had breathed twice, she was out looking up the street, and in less time than you could think it out, she was back, towing the Judge, who puffed explosively. Ellis and the three boys had retreated to the rear office. "There is not a bit of use to argue, William," she said, her lips in a hard, straight line. "Ellis has done more than any one else in town could do. When I heard that you had subscribed five thousand dollars to the new church, I concluded that your charity was a little far fetched. Now I want you to subscribe five thousand dollars to the institution that is making a man of your son. I want five thousand dollars for the printing office. It is too small, and the press is out of date. We need all that goes into an up-to-date printing office." Her brother looked upon her tolerantly. "Keep it up, Floss. It never fazed you to ask favors, and you ain't run down yet." "It's a shame," she stormed. "Just look at this little shed! Why, even a cross-road blacksmith shop is better." He looked around appraisingly. "I reckon it'll house all Ellis's business," he commented. "Ellis," she flashed, "tell William about the railroad." Ellis came from the inside office. He generally withdrew from the conferences between Flossy and her brother. "Wat Harlow told me that two of the big railroad systems have entered into a joint arrangement to shorten their mileage, on through trains to the West. He's got it all fixed for the new track to pass through Bloomtown. It will give us all the benefit of two railroads." "You see," said Flossy triumphantly, "the town will boom. People will move in, and a first-class newspaper will be the greatest asset." "I think that the town will take a big start," assured Ellis. "The boys will have all they can do with job work, and the office is small for our present needs."