politics, which interested him greatly. The "Courier" was the organ of
the Democratic Party in the state, and though his father and brothers
in the country were Republicans, Dan found himself more in sympathy with
the views represented by the Democratic Party, even after it abandoned
its ancient conservatism and became aggressively radical. About the time
of Harwood's return to his native state the newspaper had changed hands.
At least the corporation which had owned it for a number of years had
apparently disposed of it, though the transaction had been effected so
quietly that the public received no outward hint beyond the deletion of
"Published by the Courier Newspaper Company" from the head of the
editorial page. The "policy" of the paper continued unchanged; the
editorial staff had not been disturbed; and in the counting-room there
had been no revolution, though an utterly unknown man had appeared
bearing the title of General Manager, which carried with it authority in
all departments.

This person was supposed to represent the unknown proprietor, about whom
there had been the liveliest speculation. The "Courier's" rivals gave
much space to rumors, real and imaginary, as to the new ownership,
attributing the purchase to a number of prominent politicians in rapid
succession, and to syndicates that had never existed. It was an odd
effect of the change in the "Courier's" ownership that almost
immediately mystery seemed to envelop the editorial rooms. The managing
editor, whose humors and moods fixed the tone of the office, may have
been responsible, but whatever the cause a stricter discipline was
manifest, and editors, reporters and copy-readers moved and labored with
a consciousness that an unknown being walked among the desks, and hung
over the forms to the very last moment before they were hurled to the
stereotypers. The editorial writers--those astute counselors of the
public who are half-revered and half-despised by their associates on the