"He may anyhow, Dick," returned Arthur. "He has been doing somethingof this sort for the News in Riverton. They have not been signed,but I know that they were his from a line or two that I heard himrepeating to himself in the tent when he did not know that any onewas around. I recognized them afterwards in one of the poemspublished in the paper. Jack is a modest fellow and does not blowhis own trumpet."

"Did any one else hear him, Art?"

"Yes, Harry. We did not say anything about it, but we know the pieceswere his. Then you know that he has done something in that line forthe Hilltop Gazette, of course?"

"To be sure I do. The Academy paper is doing fine since Jack tookthe editorship. It is some magazine now."

"I should say it was. Jack will write something good I know, and Iwant to look at him win the prize."

"So do I, Art, as I told you before," said in reply Percival heartily.

Percival let it be known to Jack that he was trying for the prizeand this, instead of making the boy feel envious, as some would havedone, encouraged him and caused him to put forth his best efforts.