good newspaper, and was now to see a ne plus ultra. It had powerful rivals in the Journal and the Transcript. A paper begun on the scale of the Traveller needs either an ampler capital than that paper possessed, or an extremely able management inspired by perfectly united councils. The councils of the Traveller's conductors were not and could not be united, because there was among them a radical difference as to the fundamental principles of newspaper management. From the day he began his work in Boston, Mr. Bowles found that his associates, who represented the principal capital and business management of the concern, were out of sympathy with him both as to the principles and details of their joint enterprise. He was in nominal control of the editorial department, but while some good and satisfactory workers were secured, other employees owed their position to the favor of the other partners in the business, and gave neither the amount nor kind of work that was needed. Deficiencies of this sort were in part made good by the editor, who threw himself into the breach and did what other men ought to have done; in part they could not be made good at all. Other trouble arose. With a limited capital and heavy expenses, the necessity was felt for wise and delicate financial steering. Gardner and his friends were looking about for newspaper help to strengthen his tottering estate. Under such circumstances, a clear and full agreement among the paper's owners was needed, as to what class of considerations was to be paramount in its conduct; whether financial or moral success was the prime object; whether and how the necessary means of financial support could be obtained without any compromise of principle. As soon as these questions began to come up, Mr. Bowles found himself at odds with his principal associates in the ownership, to a degree that ere long resolved these questions into the single one of how to

dissolve their ill-mated partnership. There was a time of painful and wearying discussion and negotiation, and then the end was reached,- Mr. Bowles withdrew from the editorship and management; the money he had invested was left in the concern with the other capital until such time as it could be safely withdrawn; and a new organization was made for the conduct of the paper. Bankruptcy was avoided, and the Traveller continued its existence, but sailing under other colors and on a different course from that so hopefully entered upon a few months before.

Mr. Bowles's brief card announcing to the public his withdrawal said:

"The explanation of this change lies in the different principles of newspaper economy held by the respective parties. Mr. Bowles, finding from this cause and his own health that the expectations under which he was induced to take the editorship of the Traveller were not likely to be realized, has insisted on withdrawing, in justice to himself and in order that his associates might without embarrassment conduct the paper after a policy in which they have great confidence, but which he cannot approve."

His associates rejoined next day, laying chief stress on the non-success of the eight-page form and professing entire content with their own "principles of newspaper economy." The paper returned in a few days to the large four-page sheet and to the old style in general. Under Mr. Bowles the Traveller had supported the Republican party and opposed Governor Gardner. It said (July 10) that the governor was trying to secure some newspaper organ in Boston: "Time works wonders, and it would surprise no one who is acquainted with the under-currents of the political sea to behold his Excellency's name at the head of columns now devoted to anything

else than the setting forth of his claim to excellence." The paper of September 10-the same in which the retiring editor took leave-spoke of Gardner's impending renomination by the Americans as directly hostile to the Republican and Anti-slavery cause, of which Banks was already and worthily the candidate. The next day the paper spoke of Gardner in a different tone, and before the end of the month it was the active advocate of his reëlection.

To Mr. Bowles the issue could not but bring deep chagrin. He had made a great venture and had lost. The financial loss was inconvenient, but not distressing. But his ambition had met with a check, and his pride was deeply touched. He bore himself steadily, without wailings or reproaches. He took by way of rest a brief trip to the West with Charles Allen and his sister; and then came back to his home, to the quiet little town and the beautiful Connecticut valley, and before very long to his first and last love, the Republican. The paper had undergone no marked change in his absence. It had lacked something of breadth and brilliance. Dr. Holland had impressed it more than before with his own. special vein, of direct and vigorous preaching on the personal conduct of life; he had fairly maintained, with his associates, the character of the paper, but his gift and taste (and this was also true of Mr. Hood) lay rather toward writing than toward general editing. He volunteered to relinquish to Mr. Bowles the editorial control, at the same time selling his interest in the paper, and withdrawing from all editorial work except writing. The offer was accepted, perhaps with a little regret and reluctance by both men, the one at resigning the place of power, the other at assuming without intermission the full burden of responsibility, yet each drawn by true instinct toward his right place. Dr. Holland

devoted himself hereafter partly to contributions to the paper, partly to lecturing and book-writing. Mr. Bowles threw himself into his old work with a new energy. Whatever he felt of regret or of wounded pride at the failure in Boston, was alleged neither by spoken complaint nor by brooding, but by harder work. He had sought a more favorable environment, and, failing in that, he essayed the higher task of making a narrow environment serve his purpose.

A

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE RIPENING JOURNALIST.

MAN'S life may be measured by two great tests,

his work and his character; what he does and what he is. Mr. Bowles's return to Springfield in the autumn of 1857 may be taken as a point whence in some marked respects his life became broader, deeper, and more diversified, and gives fit opportunity for a review of his personal development. There was an immense educating force in the public events of the time for one whose business it was to report, to discuss, and to help to shape the course of things. The civil contentions about slavery afforded not only a moral but an intellectual education. Whoever reads the history of the Republican movement against the extension of slavery will see how different it was from a simple moral crusade against wrong. It was allied with other sentiments and motives-a perception of the economic folly of slavery, a sense of injury to Northern white men by the aggressions of slavery in the territories, a growing resentment at the domineering temper of the Southern leaders, a determination that the country should no longer be governed by an arrogant sectional faction, with Northern politicians for its allies, and patronage and corruption for its instruments. It was political self-respect, and care for white men's rights and interests, more than regard for