I've done sev'ral odd jobs fer Mr.Merrick, but he's never give me more'n jest wages." "Well," said McNutt with a sigh, "while he's in easy reach there orter be _some_ sort o' pickings fer us, an' it's our duty to git all we can out'n him--short o' actoo-al robbery.

What do ye s'pose this new deal means, boys?
Sounds like printin' somethin', don't it ?" "P'raps it's some letterheads fer the Wegg Farm," suggested Nib Corkins.

"These Merricks do everything on a big scale." "Four pages, an' six columns to a page ?" asked Cotting scornfully.
"Sounds to me more like a newspaper, folks!" There was a moment's silence, during which they all stared at the speaker fearfully.

Then said Skim Clark, in his drawling, halting way: "Ef thet's the case, an' there's goin' ter be a newspaper here in Millville, we may as well give up the struggle, fer the town'll be ruined!".