The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-09-11
HOW AN ENTERPRIsINa REPORTER
TOOK A LESSON ON DENTISTRY.

they are sometimes effcctually "takcn
in and done for" rs the following will
show Some years ago, 4 guileless youth
who was then what is known rs a subur-
ban reporter on the staff Of one OF the
leading dailies of this city, rushed into
the Office one day and told the city
editor that he had just heard of family,
living in the town to which his duties
most called him, the younger members
Of which were born without teeth, and
suggested that he could write up first +.
class Especial article" on the matter.
This just suited the city editor, who
was very energetic in his search for
odd and striking subjects for specials.
He entered enthusiastically into the mat
ter, gave the suburban man minute di-
rcctions rs TO the manner in which il
should hc worked up, directed the young
man 10 interview member of the family.
Il certain Miss Blank, and suggested
thousand and one questions which were
to be asked concerning the toothlcsS
people. The reporter went his way,
and At intervals OF two or three days.
reported progress, saying that he had
not yet interviewed the aforesaid Miss
Blank, but that he had obtained consid-
cradle information, etc, etc. Ii occur
red TO the city editor, after many days,
that the young man had essayed heavier
task than he could fulfill that perhaps
he was difiidcnt in the matter of the all
importan, nterviw with the lady aforc-
mentioned. The editor, therefore, Sc
lcctcd one OF his city staff, who was
somewhat noted for his assurance and
easy address, or 20 put it more bluntly,
for his ''cool check" and directed him
to go out into the suburbs to the rural
young man and tender his assistance in
the matter. The reporter found that
the editor had surmised correctly, and
that the young man from the country
was very glad to be relieved of the, To
him. formidable affair of questioning 4
young lady concerning the state Of her
mouth. The suburban piloted the city
man To the residence of the Blank fami-
ly, eXacting from him promise that he
would carry on the conversation. The
door bell WAS rung and pleasant-faced
lady of IS years or so answered the sum
mons.
Good afternoon, madam" said the
reporter, lifting his hat Miss Blank
resides here, does she not ~
"Shc does
''Have the pleasure Of addressing
her ?"
"She is my daughter
"Ah indeed. Is she at home -
"Shc is not /; she has gone to Milton
for the day and evening"
"Ah, very sorry particularly de
sired to see her"
Can do anything for you in her
stead ?"
81 think not" said the reporter, in
disappointed tone. "Possibly you can,"
suddenly Frightening and rendering his
card. ".Allow me to introduce myself.
| must beg your pardon in advance for
what ! am abou, TO ask, rs am well
aware that it may be a tender spot To
touch upon. We have been informed.
madam really bc$ your pardon-ihat
the younger members of your family,
Miss Blank included, was born without
teeth, and We thought it would inter
est"
And he stopped, for the expression of
kindly interest which had at first mark
eel the lady's face. had. As he progressed
changed To one of wonder. and this in
turn had been chased away by ripping
smile, and before she had remarked
''pcoplc generally are, ! believe" the
reporter had ''iumbled. HeaftcrwardS
said that ii he had thought 4 fraction of
i second sooner, he would have changed
the word teeth to feet, hands. nose, or
ears. for this could be accounted for ON
the ground of erroneous information
but without tceth-Oh. horror. And the
madam appreciated the joke only too
well, and was having quiet laugh at
his expense
Excuses were needless, and the inter
view terminated abruptly. The rcpor-
ter wendcd his way to the city. with 4
burning sensation about his face and
ears which did not at all coincide with
his reputation for assurance and easy
address. The city editor was informed,
in language more vigorous than elegant.
that the affair was ''gol-darned sell,
or somthing of similar meaning. II
afterwards transpired that the informa-
tion was given to the guilelcss suburban
reporter by wicked young dentist, who
thought to play joke on him, never
thinking that il would go any farther.
The story was kept quiet for a number
of years, but finally leaked out, and sew
eral attaches of that editorial Office
have invited several other journalists To
"take something" on several occasions.
-B0SiON Pest
Eas-A young lady was married in
Boston not long ago, and the father re-
fused TO attend the wedding or to have
any thing TO say TO the future husband.
The youthful couple settled down not 4
great distance from the paternal mansion
and began life in modest way, not ap-
parently troubled by the stern decree
which barred one door against them. a
few evenings ago the hard-hearted parent
was riding home, enjoying the balmy
brcczes on the rear platform Of horse
car, when he fell into conversation with
a very agreeable young man. He was
charmed with his pleasing address, his
respectful manners and common sense
and expressed himself to that effect after
he had reached home at the supper Ia
bic. "What kind Of a looking young
man was he ?' said his better half, with
sly twinkle in her eye. The inquiry
was answered with alacrity by the un-
suSpccting man. "That was your SON.
/ l.. . a. Ill. rN...k n