NEWSPAPERS ARE never at a loss for words. In fact, they turn out words by the truckload. That's why we were heartened to learn last week that Pittsburgh is the third most literate city in the United States (after Minneapolis and Seattle), according to a study of reading behavior. Behind Pittsburgh's high ranking was its level of library use and education, number of publications and booksellers, and, yes, newspaper readership. There was a national literacy slogan years ago that said, "Reading is fundamental." In Pittsburgh, it's second nature.

PITT FOOTBALL'S former phenom receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, did some reading last week: the ink on his new six-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Although the deal will bring the 20-year-old up to $60 million, it comes at the price of having to quit the university after only his sophomore year. The Panther star was part of a recent wave of NCAA players who sought to scrap their educations for the fast track to fame and fortune in the National Football League. Most Americans, no doubt, would have made the same choice, but we can only hope Mr. Fitzgerald will feel just as rich when he's 40, out of football and without a college degree.

DOLLARS OF a different sort will get David Williams of Rochester to Athens, Greece, this month so he can watch his daughter, Lauryn, compete in the Olympics. Businessman Tim Wiebe of Sewickley Heights donated $10,000 to a fund that will help members of the Williams family cheer for their young track star in person. Although the two men were strangers prior to meeting last Monday, they have shared an arduous battle: both are cancer survivors. After receiving the generous contribution, Mr. Williams said, "Sometimes, this can be a cruel world. It can keep your expectations low. And then, something like this happens and reminds you of the goodness that is there, thank the Lord. This was a perfect stranger." Fitting words, indeed.