"Oh! I don't know--wish I hadn't. I am going to take a partner and then it won't happen again." He cried, and was so funny-looking that there was nothing for his mother to do but to laugh and advise speedy partnership. "What boy would you have," asked he. "Dick has been here tormenting me, I don't want him. I might try Shel; it need not be for life, you know. He had a press last year and has got used to it." "Very well," answered his mother. "I expected as much. Change your suit, go ask him, and tell him I approve because his mother makes him wear overalls." Pete had not anticipated such a speedy ending of his troubles, and hastened away to do his mother's bidding. But whilst dressing, he reflected that Shel knew too much and would snub him, and that Clarence was the kind of boy who could get jobs easily. So he went to Clarence's and proposed partnership. "What terms?" demanded Clarence in a business-like manner, hands in his pockets. "I'm pretty particular about the contract. Are you a greenhorn? That's got to be taken into account." "Well, yes, suppose I am now; but I need not be long if you keep your bargain, besides my press is new and that counts for me." "Well, yes, it does. Self-inker? lots of type?" "Well, not so very much; self-inker though. Or come, you just go in and try it for a month and we'll make terms afterwards." "Pretty dangerous plan; but I'll try it, seeing it is a new press. I'll come to your house right after dinner; and we have dinner right after breakfast, so the kitchen work can be all done up. One gets hungry between dinner and supper; and it's always a cold supper, so it needn't be any work." "Agreed," said Pete. "I know those tricks on meals, too." The boys parted till half-past twelve, when Clarence appeared and set to work in a vigorous manner to properly clean and ink the tablet. Pete, with overalls on, watched every motion. His name was printed and came out clear, beautiful: PETE DOWNS CENTREVILLE, ILLINOIS U. S. Quads, leads, capitals, spelling all right. Pete felt as if he had done it himself. "Now you try," said Clarence; and success again came in a dozen cards. Then his name became an old story. "I'll go and ask the cook," declared Pete, "if she don't want her name printed," and off he ran. "Certainly" was her obliging answer; she added slowly, "Only I haven't a name good enough to print; you call me 'Hannah!' but if you put that on a card it looks common; and if you say 'Ora,' no one will know it is me; and if you only put my last name, they'll think the whole family has called. You better take the nurse's name, 'Mehitable Jones,' you can't get round that." Hardly waiting till she had finished, Pete went to Mehitable, who kindly consented to believe that she needed a dozen cards, and to write down her name that it might be printed correctly. This looked like business. The cards were quickly printed, and delivered, and the package was marked on the wrapper "C. O. D."