The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-06-18
He Yearned to be a Reporter.

From the Detroit Free ProGs,)
He came up four pair Of stairs Saturday
morning. and as soon as he recovered his
breath he wanted to know II the Free
Pres void like 70 engage another report
er. He said he hadn't had much experi-
ence, but he said It in tone that was
meant to convey the idea that he knew
his business. BE was tall and thin, had
on q plug hat which looked as II It had
been run over by drove OF mules, his
collar had sweat through, and his bandana
handkerchief was remarkable for the
many crevasses In II. His boots were red
with old age, and his pants were stuffed
into the tops. Nevertheless, his face was
one to command attention, and his tones
were respectful. In reply he was told
that there was always room at the top Of
the profession, just as Daniel Webster
told young lawyer once upon time.
BE said he thought four stories high was
about as near the top Of the profession as
a fellow could get, but his joke was too
old 10 laugh at. he didn't want much
pay, he said, his object being to identity
himself with some growing journal, and
let the feeting years bring him wealth
and laurels. He was but nineteen years
old, and he had plenty Of time. He said
he could sit up three nights running, in
grattate himself into the affections Of the
police in one brief hour, and he knew
the tlremen and the captains Of the ferry.
boats would love him on sight. He could
report anything, he said, from dog fight
to regatta, and he wrote lightning
hand. BE was used TO religious meetings
and knew all about medical conventions,
and would 60 for woman suffrage or be-
come granger, just as the paper desired.
he preferred, he said, to work all day
and night; but, II the office had a rule
requiring q man to sleep three or four
hours out OF the tWenty.tour, he would
obey.
He promised much more, and his tones
grew more serious as he talked. BE was
being consumed by a burning ambition to
WELD lead pencil, and ice water had no
effect on him. He was sup" in grammar,
posted on the poets, and as for history, he
could repeat every important event from
the hour the boy stood on the burning
deck down to Ell Perkins fight with the
"Fat Contributor" he had brought along
few specimens OF what be could do
faint efforts scratched OF with chain
lightning velocity. He handed one over.
II read:
MURDER !l-About 10 o'clock las,
mite the cry of murder was herd on one Of
our mane streets, and as usual the police
was not in site. The cries was repeeted
sevral times, being enuff to curdle the
blood Of the bravest man that ever lived.
Our new reporter at once"
The item was quietly handed back to
him, and he was informed that Detroit
was not his home. His talents were too
much for the town-too many years In
advance Of 1t, They couldn't appreciate
him here, but In Chicago the set.
ting sun-they were standing around on
the corners looking for such men.
you hain't foolin', stranger y he
asked, his lace expressing the gravest anx'
iety.
No-he could depend on 1t. 1t was a
solemn thing to fool with young man
just starting out in life, and 1t was also
against Office rules.
sand Chicago is-isp
"Just two hundred and eighty-four
miles west Of Detroit"
"Good-by, stranger" he continued, as
he rose up and picked up his bundle and
put tho end OF his big cane under the
strap; sim very much obleeged to you,
and If / don't walk 1t in four days It's be-
cause the railroad bed gives out"