Mr.Mifflin protested that he was not afraid of hard work, and that he was willing to do anything and take any sort of a position, if he could only learn the business.

But Mr.Houghton would not give him any encouragement.

Again and again Mr.Mifflin came to the Riverside Press, and pressed his suit, but to no purpose.

Mr.Mifflin persuaded his father to intercede for him, but Mr.Houghton succeeded in convincing him that it would be very unwise for his son to attempt it.

But young Mifflin was determined not to give up.