By Jack London

(Extract)

I.

Martin was steadily loosing his battle. Economize as he would, the earnings from his hack — work did not balance expenses. Thanksgiving, found him with his black suit in pawn and unable to accept the Morses' invitation to dinner. Ruth was not made happy by his reason for not coming, and the corresponding effect on him was one of desperation. He told her that he would come, after all; that he would go over to San Francisco, to the Transcontinental office, collect the five dollars due him, and with it redeem his suit of clothes.

In the morning he borrowed ten cents from Maria. The ten cents carried Martin across the ferry to San Francisco, and as he walked up Market Street he speculated upon his predicament in case he failed to collect his money.

The door to the Transcontinental office was ajar, and Martin was brought to a sudden pause by a loud voice from within, which exclaimed: "But that is not the question, Mr. Ford" (Ford, Martin knew, from his correspondence, to be the editor's name.)" the question is are you prepared to pay?

Cash, and cash down, I mean. I am not interested in the process of the Transcontinental. What I want is to be paid for what I do. And I tell you, right now, the Christmas Transcontinental don't go to press till I have the money in my hand. Good day. When you get the money, come and see me."

The door jerked open, and the man flung past Martin muttering curses and clenching his fists. Martin decided not to enter immediately, and lingered in the hallways for a quarter of an hour. Then he shoved the door open and walked in. It was a new experience, the first time he had been inside an editorial office. Cards evidently were not necessary in that office, for the boy carried word to an inner room that there was a man who wanted to see Mr. Ford.

Returning, the boy beckoned him from halfway across the room and led him to the private office, the editorial sanctum. Martin's first impression was of disorder and confusion of the room. Next he noticed a youthful-looking man who regarded him curiously. Martin marveled at the calm repose of his face. It was evident that the squabble with the printer had not affected his equanimity.

"I... I am Martin Eden," Martin began the conversation(And I want my five dollars", was what he would have liked to say). But this was his first editor and he did not desire to scare him too abruptly. To his surprise, Mr. Ford leaped into the air with a "You don't say so!" and the next moment, with both hands, was shaking Martin's hand effusively.