Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-07-03
A NIGHT EDITORS STORY.

MY StOly Is q guOSt story, anu one Oh the
genuine article, | conclude, from putting
together my pre-conceived ideas of ghosts,
and the particular experience [ have to re-
late on this occasion It is an experience
so strange, SO terrible, and so fraught with
poignant grief, that for long time after
It's occurrence [ shranE from all mention
of it but time, the great alleviator enables
me pow to sit down and give calm ac-
count of the events to which [ refer.
| was night editor on the Hawbuck
Morning Sentinel My associate in the 10
cal department was Ward Suttin, Young
fellow of keen perceptions, ready wit, and
active ability He had clear eyes, con-
centrative brow, a rather pale complexion,
a long, tiaring jet black moustache, and
an open, wide awake look that was a faith
ful index to his character. Nothing es.
capped his observation. He was indefatiga-
bly, industrious, and picked up all the news.
delvlng out items, from the most appar.
emily barren ground. He was the best 10
cal we had ever had, and our department
of city news soon alter his advent, out
stripped those of all Our contemporaries in
variety and spice.
Ward had one fault, however. The So
cial bowl possessed powerful attractions
for him, and it was too often evident that
he had been imbibing more freely than a
sound Judgment would dictate. To be
sure he was seldom untitled for business,
not more than once in three or four
months, perhaps,-but he was pursuing a
path which, if persisted i'll, must, | en-
deavored to pursuade him, result in his
downfall. [ talked to him often about il,
but although he always listened pleasantly
my words seemed to be uselcssly expend-
ed. He was always the same free and
easy, Gght-hearted, convivial fellow, and
hard-Working, valuable assistant
He would frequently choose topic of
popular interest and write thereon a series
of descriptive articles in q free, gossipy
vein, just calculated to catch the public
attention. This was in addition TO his
regular work as city editor. The amount
OF labor he accomplished, and the ease
with which he performed it, frequently
filled me with astOnlShment
Wen do L remember when he chose FOR
his theme g Dregs and Scum He pene-
trated the vIlest hauntS of the lowest ella S.
es, and described their habits in wonder,
fully vivid manner. Their vices, their
misiortunes, the bright spots in their lives
together with scraps of adventure and in
c1dent, t,-CXC1ung, amusing, and pathetic,
were all treated with rare spirit and
grace by his ready pen.
Ot course In this pursuit he visited The
resorts OF thieves, villains, and despera
does, and plunged into scenes, against his
sale exit from which, there were MANY
chances
We will see what can be fished up
from the slime y he would saw. with q
mocking laugh, and start off on one of his
midnight excursions And again he would
announce that he had an appointment to
meet some distinguished friends. the tr1e
puIport OF which remark we all well nm
ders TODD.
Ward and ], when at work, occupied at
room by ourselves, while the manaring ed
itor, and Bailey, his assistant, had another
apart, Just across the hall,
One night about half past eleven, Ward
said TO me:
A." Well, Peck, I'll go down and see wha
| can see. I've sent i'll couple Of col
umns, and Dobbin will be on the look ont
to report if anything turns up. I'll be back
by half past Que OF twon
Dobbn was middle aged, seedv indi
yldual, of some ability, bUt no particular
occupation, who loated found the office
most OF the time, III readiness to as ist.
for small remuneration, in any depart
ment that happened to be crowded. He
frequently lent his aid to Ward in reporting
police cases, accidents, rows, and the like,
Hold on, Ward" [ said, looking him
IN IN the lace; hadn't you better wait I'm.
Ill to morrow night ?23
"Why? o. [ know; you tkink I'm moi
exactly well balanced But I'm all RIGHT
I'm in Just the mood for it to night
Yes you always are, for that matter
Where do you propose to 90 Tonight ?''
Down to MuggiDs' Forks u
The very worst place in the city! TIL,
concentration of vile and desperate law
! lesSness.
your not in earnest, Ward You're
not going there tonight, are you ?''
That's just where | am going. Yor
know their great mOgul, Barney Buck, il
awaiting for trial for that highway robbcr,
Scrape, and | want to hear their comments
JoyG! won't it be a rich treat ?''
Il heard they were going to have a tall
about it,
Yes, Muggins Forks is to hold an in
olgnatlon meeting. Ba ma -
Wen, Ward, wouldn't go that's all