Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-21
A REPoRTERs LIFE.
Whatthe Pencil Pusher Must suffer and
Bear.
From the Atlanta Capital.

From the 4 tIdRiG Capitol.
People have an idea that newspa-
per reporter leads sort OF go-as-you-
please existence, having good time gem
orally and not caring if corn is $40
bushel. Putting ON this sort OF nom
chalant style is part OF a news gatherer's
profession, but after awhile it becomes
natural 80 him, and no casual obs aver
can separate it from his true character.
A reporter sometimes has hard time
OF II. He has got to know everybody.
| He must be good judge OF human
| nature and know when to slap II fellow on
the back and say, "Old boy, how's your
grip" and when to touch his hat and say,
Good morning, colonel"
If he finds n man riding hobby he must
get on behind aud help him ride If he's
carried TO the Dismal swamp. A good re-
porter must always have an opinion of
his own and express IL fearlessly when il
! comedies with the opinion of "influentIal
citizens" When any great local issue
arises, he must find a good seat on the
fence and get over quick enough on the
right side TO say II told you So"
He must never acknowledge that he
doesn't know thing when asked about
1t. People look upon reporter as walk
Ing encyclopedia, and TO keep up his
reputation he must give knowing an
swer to every question pr0p0unded TO
him.
When an Obliging friend tells him bit
OF news, the professional reportorial
racket raiser never says 30, yes,
know all about that" lie must make
the o. +. think that he is under lifelong
obligations TO him.
A reporter has got to sympathize with
every man that has the toothaohe; laugh
heartily at old, stale Jokes; curse out pro-
hibttion TO the sal0on-keeper; talk relig-
ion to preachers; kiss dirty children to
please the mothers, and smoke 10.
cigar, which some dude gives him for a
puff Ono joke meant)
He must be endowed with the cheek OF
mule, and at the same time know how
to assume the modesty of timid girl. He
must be possessed with rare combina-
ton of brains and legs. His talkstiVe
powers must equal the famous Nan
tippe's, and yet he must be able to shame
mouse on quietness when 1t becomes
necessary. Into every society, ball, re-
ligious meeting, corporation, amusement,
military organization, serenading party,
base ball club, tournament, festival,
street parade, jubilee, and political
scheme he must always be anxious to
enter, but know how TO give the thing the
shake at the proper moment.
A successful reporter must, above all
JnlnBs, oe an imaginative genius.
Bare facts are great things, but they
are only the groundwork for big item
good piece of news needs dressing, the
same as Christmas turkey, but reporter
must use tact in putting it on. Don't
"bOil an article down." but stretch il out
and make everybody that reads it think
you have boiled it down.
The aspirant for pen-pushing honors
must be full of grit" and as full Of apol-
ogies as he is of grit The two make
very comfortable combination in the
business.
He must look happy at wedding,
funeral at a burial, gay at party,
shocked at suicide, Mortified at muir
der. and jovial at a banquet. With hood
lums, loud and bOisterous talk and con-
duct must be his forte; in the parlOr he
must have the appearance of having been
born to wear coat with pair of tails.
And he must be truthful. selahl