The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-23
a Sad Mistake.

MI. John Biggs, young man with brisk air
and brisker loquaclty, came to Little Rock
several days ago, and, calling at the
Gazette office, asked for situation as q
reporter. "I'm lightning, he said; II used
to be editor-in.chis of the Wormvllle Ian
tern. Oh but she was a darling paper.
You ought to have seen how pitched into
section boss for calling my half-brother a
fox-eyed liar. l skinned him. Now, II
you've got any important work that you
want done, I'm the man to do 1t. used to
report the Wormvillo City Council.
stirred up one Alderman until he threw one
OF those oid-fashiond brass kettles at me.
That's the way to write. This quiet way OF
dong thingsmay take with religious papers,
Simply n. g. Do you want mani"
The young man seemed to have such
correct idea Of the newspaper business that
he was employed, with view of doing
special work. A proviso was added to the
agreement that Mr.. Biggs was not to feel
agricvcd, or to bring suit IN case he was
bounced" after few days trial.
When Biggs stepped out on the street
there was an air of business about him
that attracted the passer-by. He walked
along with his notebook IN hand, and with
his pencil between his fingers like cigar.
Yes, ssaid man standing on the corner,
addressing an acquaintance, ''that IS a fine
boy left at Swanks.'
"What!" said the reporter. Boy left
whcrey"
"Who are you'll asked the man
~ ain a reporter. used to be editor
in-chief of the Wormville Lantern. Tell
me about the mysterious boy"
The lnan wlnkcd at his acquaintance and
rcmarked ''Well, reckon a reporter
should know everything. You sec, last night
fine boy was left at the residence of Mr..
Swanks. mysterious, sir, very mysterious.
You'd better go around and sec Mrs.
Swanks
After ascertainlng the locality of the
SWanks residence, the reporter hurrIedly
LETT. Arriving at the place he rang the
bell and was admitted.
I'D like to sec Mrs. Swanks," said the
reporter to Mr.. Swanks
You can't see her."
'Why, is she busy2"
moi so busy, perhaps, as indisposed.
What is your business, sir4''
II am Il reporter, Sir. I used to be
editor-in-chief of the Wormville Lantern,
but hard luck has brought ME down to the
level OF common news-hunter. | want to
see Mrs Swanks in regard to that mysterious
boy"
"What mysterious boy2" asked Mr..
Swanks, with warmth.
Nov, here, Colonel, you needn't try
any little dodge on mo. l used to be the
editor-in- chief of the Wormville Lantern.
l know more about this affair than YOU
think do. There's mysterious baby IN
this house, and I'm going to see it. I'm
gong right i'll where your wife is and write
the thing up
The reporter attempted to pass into the
next room, but was knocked down by
MIR. Swanks. The noise brought out sew.
eral ladies, sufficiently advanced in age to
De beyond the road-law requirements. The
ladies screamed. The reporter regaincd
his feet and made another dash for tho
door. The women caught him, while Mr..
Swanks kicked him, turned him around,
showed him through the front door, and
kicked him onto the fence. MIR. Birgs
came back to the office and resigned. lie
said that if the office could spare hlm n
few pounds of type lie would 20 out and
rc-establish the Wormville Lantern. All
this time young Swanks laid in his little
cradle, staring at an existence so new to
him, and, like Paul Domboy, squaring
his little fists at the world