glad to know that your health is so far improved as to admit of your
writing; and it is our strongest hope that you will soon be completely
recovered.

"New subscriptions are coming in at a slightly advanced rate since my last
letter; you will see they are distributed over several counties, when you
examine the books on your return; and I am glad to state that with our
arrangement for Gainesville the 'Herald' is now selling every morning at a
prominent store in all the towns within the radius we determined on. Our
plan of offering the daily with no advance on the price of the former
tri-weekly issue proves a success. I now propose making the issue a quarto
every day (at the same price) instead of once a week. I think our
experience warrants the experiment. It is my belief that our present
circulation will be increased forty per cent. Please advise me if you
approve. Of course this would mean a further increase of our working
force, and we should have to bring another man from Rouen--possibly two
more--but I think we need not fear such enlargements.

"I should tell you that I have taken you at your word entrusting me with
the entire charge of your interests here, and I had the store-room
adjoining the office put in shape, and offered it to the telegraph company
for half the rent they were paying in their former quarters over the
post-office. They have moved in; and this, in addition to giving us our
despatches direct, is a reduction of expense.

"Mr. Watts informs me that the Standard's offer is liberal and the terms
are settled. The boom is not hollow, it is simply an awakening; and the
town, so long a dependent upon the impetus of agriculture or its trade, is
developing a prosperity of its own on other lines as well. Strangers come
every day; oil has lubricated every commercial joint. Contracts have been