He had done work for the editor of a weekly paper of a town on the
river, the nearest large town to the Academy and was well known in the
place besides, having many acquaintances there among business people.

Being fond of the water, and knowing that many of the boys would have
boats of one kind or another, but mostly motors, Jack had already
looked about him, and had already not only formed his plans, but had
put some of them in operation.

Leaving Percival, who was his principal chum among the Hilltop boys,
Jack went on his wheel to Riverton, the town nearest to the Academy,
and called in at the office of the News where he found the editor,
Mr. Brooke, pecking away at a typewriter in his sanctum, using two
fat fingers only in doing his writing rather than all of them as an
expert would do.

Brooke had learned to use the machine in that way, however, and would
adopt no other, although he had been shown by Jack, who was a rapid
writer on a machine, and could compose on it, that he could do much
faster work by the other method.

"How do you do, Sheldon?" said Brooke, looking up. "Got any news?"

"What are you going to do with that little gasolene engine that you
used to run your little presses with?" asked Jack.

"I don't know, sell it, I guess. It isn't good for much except junk."

"How much do you want for it?"