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   dymatsuoka

   eNotes Editor

   Johnny was attracted to the printing offices of the Boston Observer by an inviting sign that hung at the front of the shop.  The sign had on it "a little man in bright blue coat and red breeches, solemnly gazing at Salt Land through a spyglass".  To Johnny, "the comical little painted man looked...genial...ready to welcome anyone".

   Johnny, who had been a promising apprentice silversmith, had been crippled in an accident, and his right hand was now useless.  Unable to continue in his trade, he had been looking for other employment, but the opportunities were few for a boy with only one undamaged hand.  One day, when he was wandering totally discouraged and with "no food in his pocket", he found himself on Salt Lane where the printing offices were located.  Lured by the inviting sign, he entered the abode of the Boston Observer, without even stopping "to consider whether or not a printer's work was something that he could do".

   The Laphams did not take a newspaper at their house, but Johnny had heard Mr. Lapham speak about the Boston Observer.  The older man thought the Observer was "wicked" because it was trying "to stir up discontent in Boston...against the mild rule of England" (Chapter 3).

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   Posted by dymatsuoka on Wednesday August 26, 2009 at 8:03 AM