Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-06
BOUND To GET HIS BOOTS.
Police Captain Mounts Experience with
an Imaginative Reporter.


Ne,C Tork TriJuns.
i don't believe that an editor or any re-
spectacle paper VIII permit a story to be
printed that he knows 10 be false" said
Police Captain Mount the other day. He
was commenting on the published account
Of a robbery that had taken Mace In his
precinct in which a slender foundation Of
fact had been made % serve as the basis
for a highly sensational story. eBut''
continued the Captain, Il have known
some astounding stories 70 be manufac-
tured out Of trifes. Years ago / had
station on the east side. There was a fell
low then writing for a Sunday paper who
belonged 10 a class Of reporters that is now
going out Of fashion or rather that has
already gone out Of fashion. He was
clever, bright and gOOd-natured. but care
less, reckless even, and over fond Of the
bottle. He came 70 the station one cold,
rainy night. His garments were decided
" shabby aud he looked seedy, but he was
cheerful as usual.
"'Well, what's the news tonight, Cap
tain" said he.
Nothing said /.
the deucev he exclaimed
boots
THAT l might the better inspect them
ne placed each foot in turn ON the desk.
The boots were in a state Of advanced
decomposition, and let water in like a
sieve.
81 must get me a new pair.0 said NV
caller. To get pair Of boots must have
money. To have money l must write. To
write l must have news. To get news /
must come here. No news, no boots.
Therefore / must have news
81 admitted the force Of his logic. Then
let's see the blotteT,' he said. There was
not an item in the days record worth
line in the paper He cOnned it thought
fully for minute. 'pve got it, said he
Got what? l asked.
why the boots, 10 be aure uere,e
an freshman and IN EnclIsbman arrested
for uisOrderly conduct. IIl make il fight,
and head my article ''Ireland versus Eng
land-Patrick callahan and John Smith
Fight with Bare knuckles-Arrest Of the
Principals by the POlice-Details Of the
Combat" You bet thatll fetch the
ducats, and III have the rest Of the boys
running all over town the next day trying
TO catch on
$50 much elated was he at the prospect
OF leading his brother reporters a wild
goose chase and getting a pair of boots
Tor himself that he danced a hornpipe in
front OF the desk. In so doing his hat fell
on the floor. Its battered condition SEEM
ed to strike him for the first time. He
stopped dancing and eyed it Tuefully.
es,' ne c&clalmeQ, i We got 10 get a new
hat, too. Can you put me on anything
else" ! told him Of a small Ere that had
taken place in a tenement house that day
and had been put out with trifling dam
age and with nobody hurt. so much the
better for being a small One,' said he, 9or
none of the other boys will touch it. and
50 III have IL exclusively. It's good for
a new hat and something to spare for
drinks
"He departed happy. Sure enough on
Sunday morning he had nearly a column
about the fight that never took place, with
each round given in detail. The sports
Of the Seventh ward wondered how fight
could have taken place in their neghbOr-
hood without their getting the tip But
the best Joke Of all was the way he wrote
up the fire. There was fire commits
sIOner at that time who was known to be
anxious for a reappOintment. He was
made to figure IN the scene, and was
credited with rescuring a mother and
child. The commissioner wanted
popularity and did not deny the
story. He kept out of the way for few
days to avoid being questioned about it.
The next week an illustrated paper had a
picture Of him in the midst of flame and
smoke, with woman under one arm ard
a child under the other. This pleased him
still better. He thought it would make
him popular, and he bought a great many
copies of the paper But he didn't get re-
appointed. He is still connected with
the fire department. When next l saw
the reporter he had new boots and a new
hat.7