Tom Meredith and Minnie Briscoe came amongst the others, and Tom said only, "Good old boy," as he squeezed his friend's hand; and then, as he went down the hall, wiping his glasses, he asked Minnie if she believed the young man on the steps had risen from a sick bed that morning.
It was five-o'clock when Harkless climbed the stairs to the "Herald" office, and his right arm and hand were aching and limp.

Below him, as he reached the landing, he could see boys selling extras containing his speech (taken by the new reporter), and long accounts of the convention, of the nominee's career, and the celebration of his home-coming.

The sales were rapid; for no one could resist the opportunity to read in print descriptions of what his eyes had beheld and his ears had heard that day.
Ross Schofield was the only person in the editorial room, and there was nothing in his appearance which should cause a man to start and fall back from the doorway; but that was what Harkless did.
"What's the matter, Mr.Harkless ?" cried Ross, hurrying forward, fearing that the other had been suddenly reseized by illness.
"What are those ?" asked Harkless, with a gesture of his hand which seemed to include the entire room.
"Those!" repeated Ross, staring blankly.
"Those rosettes--these streamers--that stovepipe--all this blue ribbon." Ross turned pale.

"Ribbon ?" he said, inquiringly.

"Ribbon ?" He seemed unable to perceive the decorations referred to.
"Yes," answered John; "these rosettes on the chairs, that band, and----" "Oh!" Ross exclaimed.