The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-09-14
FORBES MAKES A HIT.
How the Well Known War correspon-
dent Cot a Start.

Without money with which to carry out
his archibald Forbes mission, he was at
the beginning of the Franco-Prussian war
sent out by Mr.. Grant the then editor Of the
London Morning Advertiser, to the theatre
of operations. Naturally of his letters some
came late, and others never arrived at all,
and after a few weeks he was recalled, to his
bitter disappointment. On arrival in Lon
don with the latest information regarding
the disposition of the German forces round
Paris, he sought to dispose of his news to
the London press. Meeting with cold re-
eeption from the Times, he resolved to make
one more attempt, and if that failed to yield
to his fate. This time he was successful, Mr..
Robinson, of the Daily News, saying as soon
as he had mentioned the object of his visit:
Yes, that sounds very interesting and
valuable. Will you obhge me by writing
three columns on the subject, and will you
consider five guineas column adequate re-
muneration? If so, please let the copy be
sent in as rapidly as possible"
Overj0yed, he sent in the three columns,
but finding that he had a great deal more to
say he called again at the office:
''Mr. Robinson had gone. Was, then, the
editor there9 The editor was absent holiday
making but could see the acting editor.
The acting editor was reading a proof.
eAOh6hS bAAuC SAul lOl TIT
but long since l have grown to know how
little of gruffness there is in the sweet and
genial nature of Edward Pigott / explained
my dilemma to him-briefly, because he gave
me the idea of being impatient. is this your
stuff" he trenchantly asked, laying his fin
ger on the slip of proof before him. l glanced
at it and said it was my stuff. We'll then,
said he well take as much of this kind Of
stuff as you care to writep And this remark
terminated the interview"
RaQpiVinO from Mr. DiOnft on
further contributions, he visited the Office
once more the next afternoon, and was
shown up to Mr.. Robinson:
You've come for your cheque, sup
pose, said he, as 1t seemed to me little
shortly No. 1 explained, Il have arranged
with the acting editor to furnish some fur
ther contributions, and by his directions |
have called to ask you to have a boy call
day L think not said Robinson, with
what struck me as an Intentionally aggra-
waiting drawl. I don't think we win trouble
you to write these contributions you speak
OF; ]. will explain the matter to Mr.. Pigott.'
don't quite know what did say; | know
lost my temper vehemently, and believe |
used strong language. l think | said some
thing about having believed in editorial ON
Impotence, and my inability to understand
this business of one man blowing hot and
another blowing cold Anyhow, was not
going to stand being made fool of in this
offhand easy style; and I'd take good care
that didn't darken the doors of the daily
news any more. And with that, the perfer-
vidum ingenium of my northern nationality
being all ablaze, removed myself abruptly
from the presence and swore my way down.
stairs into the street. Here, come backp
Robinson had shouted after me- want to
speak to your fear that if he had acted on
the strict letter of the brief retort l threw
over my shoulder he would have had no oc-
sion to give any subsequent orders to his coal
merchant l was striding up Bouverie
street, fercely fuming behind my beard,
when L felt hand on my shoulder and heard
say. that want you to start for Metz to-
niphtpv