"When I first went to reside in his family, he fancied I had literary tastes, as he termed them, beyond my years, and used to honor me with a first reading of his speeches. Then it came to be my habit to read him the newspapers, and various pamphlets arriving by every mail. Whenever we noticed any pretty sentiment, or well-timed expression, the scissors were brought into immediate requisition; and the paragraph forthwith became a part of the huge scrap book. It was easy to write an elegant address by making free use of another's thoughts. "Now, Frederic, if you ever want to court public favor, I can introduce you into all the nice intricacies of the business. I have been behind the scenes, and know just what is to be done. In the first place, you must propitiate the press. The press is a great institution to a man who wants to rise, and the editors, owners and reporters must be fêted and feasted no matter at what cost. Then if you want a delicately worded notice of your speech, etc., etc., you have only to prepare the titbit in the privacy of your own apartment, and the editors will adopt it as their own. Straightway it will appear at the head of a column with your name in capitals to attract attention." "And multitudes who read the article will swallow the sugared flattery without suspicion," added Frederic laughing. "But, Helen, you don't mean to assert that Mr. Tracy adopts such disgusting measures to advance his popularity?" "I have the testimony of his own son to that effect," was her serious reply. "And I once had the honor of being invited to write a puff to head his speech before the — Convention. I was young at the time, and innocent," she added with a roguish glance at her lover. "I considered the request as mere fun; and I copied this piece of bombast I had once committed to memory: "'If ever a feather be plucked from the wing of an American eagle, may it be to write the names of Washington and Tracy with indelible ink upon a substance which never shall perish when the pillars of the earth crumble to dust.'" "What was the result?" inquired the young clergyman, looking intensely amused. "The result was that the pill, to my perfect horror, was swallowed whole. "'You really have a knack at such business,' Mr. Tracy said, his eyes sparkling. 'This will do admirably, though perhaps it is a little too flattering.' "I seized the paper and tore it in pieces, at which act of rudeness, my guardian was greatly displeased." CHAPTER XVIII. MR. TRACY'S SANCTUM. I BELIEVE I have already informed the reader, that Mr. Tracy was counted among the merchant princes of the great city where he lived. He resided in a handsome house on one of the fashionable streets; kept his carriage and fancy matched horses, and his whole equipage and appearance were calculated to do honor to his high rank in life.