Aside from this, Vance believed he was competent to handle all the details and labor connected with the paper. Before he retired that night, arrangements had all been made, the lease drawn and signed, and Vance commenced operations the next morning as the proprietor of the Gold Bluff Prospector. He moved his trunk and personal effects into the shabby back room, to be used in the future as his sleeping apartment. He settled his hotel bill, and found that he had less than $3.00 in his pocket on which to begin the struggle for bread. It was a new experience, not without its novelty and excitement in anticipation, however. After he had arranged his room quite tidily, he commenced setting type, and smiled good humoredly to himself as he thought of the change from the great New York Banner to the Prospector. Yes, he had made sacrifices; and would he not willingly make any more to remain near the woman he loved with a love that surpasseth understanding. CHAPTER XXII.—STARTING THE BOOM. 9195 IXTEEN [187] hours a day for three days was Vance’s first experience on the Prospector. All day and far into the evening he set type and made up forms, until finally the paper was ready to be brought out. It contained the retiring proprietor’s bow to the public, and Vance’s announcement. The next evening he called at the Bonifields’. Louise greeted him more kindly than ever. The Colonel, after assuring him that excellent progress was being made on Gray Rocks, turned the conversation to Vance’s new venture. “Vehy creditable, suh; vehy creditable, indeed,” said he, glancing at a copy of the Prospector which he had been reading. “Louise and I think yo’ve made an excellent beginnin’, suh, vehy excellent.” “Indeed we do,” said Louise; “we have often heard, though, that editors were quite exclusive, and we didn’t know but that was the reason you have not called on us for so long a time.” “Well, that is the reason,” responded Vance, jestingly. “As managing editor of the Prospector, I have been exclusively engaged in setting type, making up forms, etc.” They laughed at Vance’s remark, and complimented [188] him on being able to impersonate all the functionaries of a printing establishment. In the midst of their conversation, Aunt Sally appeared at the door of the parlor, and courtesying low to Vance, said: “Good evenin’, Mr. Gilder; I ‘low I’ve been wantin’ to sec yo’ fo’ some time, suh.” Vance returned the salutation by rising and bowing politely. As he sat down he noticed the Colonel was greatly disturbed, as if he feared a storm was approaching. “Mr. Gilder,” commenced Aunt Sally’, “I consider it my duty to inform yo’ that yo’ are makin’ as big a fool of yo’self as my brother is of hisself.” “Come, sister,” said the Colonel, “come, come.”