"Wait until I see what the letter says," replied Helen. She pulled it out of the envelope and Tom leaned over to read it with her.
"Dear Miss Blair," it started, "enclosed you will find check for your fine work in reporting the tornado near Rolfe. Please consider this letter as your appointment as Rolfe correspondent for the Associated Press. Serious accidents, fires of more than $5,000 damage and deaths of prominent people should be sent as soon as possible. Telegraph or telephone, sending all your messages collect. In using the telegraph, send messages by press rate collect when the story is filed in the daytime. If at night, send them night press collect. And remember, speed counts but accuracy must come first. Stories of a feature or time nature should be mailed. We are counting on you to protect us on all news that breaks in and near Rolfe. Very truly yours, Alva McClintock, Correspondent in charge of the Cranston Bureau."
"He certainly said a lot in a few words," was Tom's comment. "Now you're one up on me. You're editor of the _Herald_ and Associated Press correspondent and I'm only business manager."
"Don't get discouraged," laughed Helen, "I'll let you write some of the Associated Press stories."
"Thanks of the compliment," grinned Tom. "I'm still waiting for that ice cream soda, Miss Plutocrat."
"You'll grumble until I buy it, I suppose, so I might as well give in right now," said Helen. "Come on. I'm hungry for one myself."
Tom and Helen boarded the nine forty-five Saturday morning and arrived at the state capital shortly after noon. It was Helen's first trip to Cranston and she enjoyed every minute of it, the noise and confusion of the great railroad terminal, the endless bobbing about of the red caps, the cries of news boys heralding noonday editions and the ceaseless roar of the city.
They went into the large restaurant at the station for lunch and after that Tom inquired at the information desk for directions on how to reach the plant of the World Printing Company. He copied the information on a slip of paper and the two young newspaper people boarded a street car.
Half an hour later they were on the outskirts of the industrial district and even before the conductor called their stop, Tom heard the steady roar of great presses.