It was not from his old gentleman friend, however, but was from Mr. Haxall, and was written in the _Phonograph_ office on Saturday evening. It was of such an astounding nature to Myles that he could hardly believe he was reading it aright when he first glanced over its contents. Again he read it through, and again, to make sure that there could be no mistake as to its meaning. Then he uttered such a shout of joy as startled his landlady in the distant, lowermost depths of the house. The letter was as follows:
I want you to come back to the _Phonograph_ and report for duty as usual on Monday morning. If, during our interview of to-day, I seemed unnecessarily harsh or unjust, you will please lay the blame to my position rather than to myself. I cannot go beyond the rules of the office, which oblige me to take such action as I did in your case. You were undoubtedly guilty of a neglect of duty; but I am well satisfied that such a thing will not happen again in your case. Although you failed us in that single instance, your subsequent course was such as reflects great credit upon this paper, and I am convinced that you are one of the staff with whom we cannot afford to part. Therefore, if you will return at a salary of $25 per week, or, if you prefer it, on space, you will be cordially welcomed by
“Glory hallelujah!” shouted Myles. “Go back? Of course I will! As a space man too. Well, if Joe Haxall isn’t a trump then I’m no judge. He certainly is the most just and honorable man I know. I’d just like to hear anybody say a word against him in my presence.
“Mr. Brown, I’ll thank you for that key again if you please, sir.
“Yes, Myles Manning, your fortune is made, and you have come out of what looked like a pretty ugly fix with flying colors.
“My, but I’m glad that letter was written on Saturday, before there was a chance for any influence being used to get me back. How cheap a fellow must feel who, after once losing a job, only gets taken back through influence.”
So thinking, and hardly able to contain himself for joy, Myles gathered together the papers he had brought away from the _Phonograph_ office and prepared to carry them back to it. In his own happiness he did not forget the anxiety of those at home, and his first care upon leaving the house was to hunt up a telegraph station. From it he sent a message containing the joyful news to his mother. Then he hurried down town.