The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-06-27
WONDERFUL FORESIGHT.
How George ID. Prentice Disposed OF .
Phenomenal Journalist.

the Louisville journal, was often inn
portuned by college men who painted
for chance to send Il culver through
the great reading world. A graduate,
named Edwards, was so fortuhate as to
secure a tlial on the journal. He was
a modest young man and did not claim
that he could, the first week, take quite
all the work off Mr.. Prentice's hands,
but he knew that after the first month
he could take the place of the chief ed
itor and discharge his duties in way
that would render the readers oblivious
to the change. The great journalist
had, by very dear friend, been rec
commended to Prentice, consequently
the editor was anxious that the young
man should do we'll. During the after
noon of the third day, Edwards went
into Prentice's room, and, with an air
of self-confdence, began to boast of his
newspaper requirements.
"There is a great deal in the news
paper business, after all, y said he.
Mr.. Prentice agreed that there was a
great deal III the newspaper business
after all.
"Yes, SIR" Edwards continued,
"when | was at school used to think
that man could learn all about the
whole thing in a day or two, but he
can't do it. l think, though, that
some men inherit kind of insight in to
the journalistic profess on, don't you?"
at seems So" Mr.. Prentice replied.
Eyes, Edwards resumed, ''some
men have natural facility for forming
the opinions of others; and, sir, the
beauty of it is the natural product
journalist forms opinion so ,killfully
that the man who reads it swallows il
and, by George, sir, thinks that he him
self formed it.
Every often the case, no doubt" re
Joined Mr. Prentice.
"Now," Edward went on. that
what regard as journalism. None o
your slip-shod business about that.
suppose, Mr. Prentice, you have OBJ
served that l have learned to say thing
pleasantly"
"Yes."
That's one acquisition. Now, wha
next would you adviser
Learn something to say"
"Why IL" stammered Mr.. Ed
wards, 81 thought that"
mo explanations are necessary,
said Mr.. Prentice Then, turning i
his chair and bestowing a uzzical loo
upon the upstart, the man, whose idles
pen-stroke was sometimes a gougin
pasquinade, said:
Your insight is too clear to enabl
you to become journalist
"How SOP"
"Why, you see through the whol
thing You can look into the bushes
of newspaper like prophet coul
look into the future. This, in the enc
must render the business distasteful [
you, for, as all strollers will tell yol
the most pleasant road to traverse
the one that offers the largest numbt
of surprises "a glimpse of shining W.
ter, moments view of rich landscap,
Therefore, | would advise you to Civ
up the newspaper business, for it wi
undoubtedly become distasteful, like
monotonous path too often gone owe
/ know that it would be struggle t
tear yourself away now, but you shoul
make the sacrifice. You owe it to YOU
father, your mother, your creditors"
The young man, with his head il
clined forward, had listened attentiv,
ly. Looking up, he replied:
81 know there is much truth in wins
you say, Mr.. Prentice, but have give
so much thought to this business, tn;
now, to throw it aside and engage
something else would be changing ii
course of a life-would be like chapg,n
the channel of mighty RIVER
Edwards smote his troubled brcas
lifted up his mustache, put finger o
each side of his mouth and missed ii
spittoon about six inches.
!, Il foresee the struggle" said NJ
Prentice, "but because struggle
foreseen is no reason that it should
, averted. Life is struggle"
r "But, Mr.. Prentice, what would W
advise me to dol" ...
r "Your foresight prompts me to SUI
| gest the ACCESSIBILITY of running a Go
r eminent. | don know anything abo,
the chances for getting that kind of
: situation at present, but do know tn
you could do up the work to the delig
of the Queen and to the taste of the e
tire royal household. Let me see. Ho
are you in Greek?"
[ "First-rate.
= Probably you might get situate
4 as Il writer of circus posters"
4 81 wouldn't like that
8 "No? Well, how would you like
float down the river on a raft, spendil
4; your spare moments in the study of CT
;. rent navigation, sand-bank philosop
and the wholesome casuistry of ferr
e men who charge double price when t
: water is low, because it is low, a
+ double price when the water is high, /
s cause it is highP"
# you are making fun of me-
"Oh, no; quite impossible. lean r
:. make anything of you. Here, Bill
calling a porter, ''let in that ott
graduate and we'll Give him a tnrn -