"Haven't I just said--"
"Yes; you have. Would you let your son go into a newspaper office?"
"My son? My son chose the profession of law."
"But if he had wanted to be a journalist?"
"Journalism does not perhaps offer the same opportunities for personal
advancement as some other lines," said the financier cautiously.
"Why shouldn't it?"
"It is largely anonymous." Mr. Vanney gave the impression of feeling
carefully for his words. "One may go far in journalism and yet be
comparatively unknown to the public. Still, he might be of great
usefulness," added the sage, brightening, "very great usefulness. A
sound, conservative, self-respecting newspaper such as The Ledger, is a
public benefactor."
"And the editor of it?"
"That's right, my boy," approved the other. "Aim high! Aim high! The
great prizes in journalism are few. They are, in any line of endeavor.
And the apprenticeship is hard."
Herbert Cressey's clumsy but involuntary protest reasserted itself in
Banneker's mind. "I wish you would tell me frankly, Mr. Vanney, whether
reporting is considered undignified and that sort of thing?"
"Reporters can be a nuisance," replied Mr. Vanney fervently. "But they
can also be very useful."
"But on the whole--"
"On the whole it is a necessary apprenticeship.
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