The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-06-15
My Journalistic Career.

Some years have elapsed since | first COM
menced to tackle journalism. In all the
course Of a somewhat checkered career, |
shall never forget that some years have
elapsed since [ first commenced to tackle
journalism.
My primary experience was in a large
newspaper office. / do not wish to dwell
upon such painful "reminiscences, and it will
suffice to say that my occupation Of sweep
ing the floor was occasionally varied by the
floor being swept by me. # there is any
talent whatever among the s~tipendaries, the
foreman never possesses any of it. He is
always ignorant, uneducat ted and drunk.
I labored with much conscienciousness at
my mental duties for some months. Then
the foreman (between him and me there is an
undying hatred), told me in his brutal way
that the composing room could do without
my assistance. AS he enforced his remarks
by taking the trouble to see that [ got down
three flights Of stairs safely, [ firmly resolved
never to offer him nay services again. The
city editor, beneath whose mean and sordid
nature was a current of common sense, at
once engaged me to assist him.
In this position [ shortly mastered the de-
tails Of the profession. It takes no brains to
do a local editors work, and | was fully able
to run the whole newspaper.
One Of our reporters, a MIR. Harris, had
been negotiating for a position on q New
York paper. Everything was fixed but the
salary, he demanding one at which the firm
demurred. One morning a postal addressed
to him was showed into my hands by the
postman. It said:
NEW York, 3 4, is
DEAR SIR-Your terms as specified are agreed to.
: - ~ :" ~ ~ 4" J. SMITH,
Of the Regulator.
Here was the chance for which I had
longed. Breathless with anxiety, | tele-
graphed back
Will report for work tomorrow, A. M.
j. 3. HARRIS.
I resolved to take the position and render
myself indispensable before the mistake
should be discovered.
I confess my heart sunk 8 little as | ar-
rived at the stately edif1ce Of the Regulator.
Bui I boldly presented my postal card as q
credential, and was even amused at the look
Of surprise that fitted across the ''chief's"
face.
II had not imagined you to be SO young,
Mr.. Harris" he said pleasantly, "but your
past work shows you to be thoroughly re-
sponsible. This is the exchange editors
desk, be continued, walking into another
apartment, land the file is ready. We 60 to
press at three-thirty."
Then he left me and I looked through the
big pile of newspapers. I picked up the
Bungtown Terrier and became absorbed in
"Mr. Joshua Whitcomb's Frightful Fall
from a Hay Loft" There were three col
umns OF it, and I threw myself into the de-
tails with a fervor which should have de-
lighted the proprietor. Page after page I
worked off until the boy came round after
copy. To my surprise the day was already
gone, and I sauntered forth we'll satisfied
with my work. l passed the night in 9 hum
BILE manner (the weather was lovely and
went to the office bright and early.
But | do not wish to linger on what fol-
lowed. I was treated with acorn and con-
tumely. I was maltreated grandly, uncere-
moniously bounced. I was sat upon and
personally injured. Talent is not apprecia-
ted in New York and editors are shockingly
profane. I left the business at once, and no
inducement could persuade me to return.
EDWARD WINsLOW.