Many of the same men still wrote for it, facing cheerfully about and advocating a tricky theory, vehement champions of a set of personal schemers and waxy images." He spoke with feeling; but now, as though a trifle ashamed of too much seriousness, and justifiably afraid of talking like one of his own editorials, he took a lighter tone.

"I had been taken on the paper through a friend and not through merit, and by the same undeserved, kindly influence, after a month or so I was set to writing short political editorials, and was at it nearly two years.

When the paper changed hands the new proprietor indicated that he would be willing to have me stay and write the other way.

I refused; and it became somewhat plain to me that I was beginning to be a failure.
"A cousin of mine, the only relative I had, died in Chicago, and I went to his funeral.

I happened to hear of the Carlow 'Herald' through an agent there, the most eloquent gentleman I ever met.