The Osceola times., 1886-08-28
A NEWSPAPER ROMANCE.
Why Mrs. Warner Purchased a
Great metropolitan Journal.

Mary Warner was the richest woman
IN California, II not, indeed, the richest
woman in the world. Her husband had
accumulated his fortune in railroad
ventures, and had died before he had
time TO lose it again. Possessed of
sound sense, and blessed with iudicious
advisers, Mrs. Warner divided her in
vestments between improved real es-
tate and Government securities. and de-
voted herself to the improvement of
her leisure. Two years after her hus-
bands death she celebrated her fifteth
birthday. Her house on California
street was one of the most magnificent
in San Francisco, but during the pro-
tracted interval of her mourning it h ad
not been the scene Of any such fcstyi-
ties as its generous and costly garniture
beftted Mrs. Warner acceded to her
friends W shes and left her quiet home
at Menlo Park to entertain all Sa n
Francisco at the Warner Palace
without great reluctance, but certainly
without enthusiasm. The music, the
flowers and the supper were the best
that could be had. Nine. Luque, a wo-
man who had subsidized from the brief
prosperity of the Ranch Luque Mines
into position of decent independence
upon Mrs. Warmers bounty, made all
the arrangements and relieved her
friend Of even the task of entertaining
guests.
Mrs. Warner esconced herself in
coy corner of the conservatory accom-
panied by Mr. Richard Hcadley, the
managing editor of the San Francisco
journal. Mr. Ileadlcy was only thirty
years old-a young man to control the
most important daily in San Francisco
but his discretion and ability had
more than justified his advancement.
well, Dick said Mrs. Warner,
"and why haven't you been down to
Menlo lately? You are not going to
forget your old friends now that
you are becoming great man, sure
ly?"
mo, indeed, dear Mrs. Warner"
said Hcadley, "but the responsibilities
of my position, as what you call "a great
man keep me pretty busy. You see,
every man on the staff, from the city
editor TO the sporting reporter, thinks
that he would have filled poor old Dun
cans berth infinitely better than | do,
and | have to work with both hands to
keep out of trouble"
II always knew you had it in you,
and I'm as proud and happy as can be.
But what is this hear about the Jour
nal changing handsP'
I'm afraid it's true. Cushman wants
10 go abroad and loaf the rest of his
life, and | don't blame him. He's made
more than enough money, and he may
as well enjoy it. | think it will be
bought by syndicate, headed by the
Flynns.'
"And how will that affect youP'
Throw me out in short order The
Flynns have never forgiven me for at
lacking them when Twas on the Herald,
and they would give my chair to old
Parsons, anyway. There's no use pre-
tending | don't feel badly about it, be-
cause ! do. shall have to start fresh
somewhere else, and shall hardly have
such luck again"
Mrs. Warner looked at him kindly,
and put her hand on his arm. 1t was
not pretty hand as girls hand it
had been almost too round and dlmped,
and it had lost all its shapcliness since
then.
dick, how much does the Journal
make?n
Fifty thousand ayear, in round num-
bers, Sometimes there are big subsidies
that run il over that but fifty thousand
is fair estimate.
"And how much does Mr.. Cushman
expect to get from this syndicate for the
paperP"
They talk about capitalizing II at
10000 shares at $3.50 each, but think
about S700,0 600 will come to eastman.
The paper is worth that fairly enough.
"And what are your plans, DickP You
talk about making fresh start, but
where will you mako itP"
II think shall 60 East. Reece, the
man who writes the column OF causene
every Sunday, you known, wants to go
back to England. and he is anxious to
have me go with him. But don't
fancy making such change have
written so much Amercanese that
don't think could get into the swing
uf the formal English style; and then IT
seems like running away, too"
"Dick, am going to be great So
eioty woman now. Nine. Luque wants
me to go abrord and live at Nice-bu
I'm like you, fond of my own country
and | mean to live here and make the
house pleasant for young peope. That
is what rich old woman ought to do,
isn't itp"
"Old woman, indeed! You're as
young as any of us now. Mrs
Warner"
Indeed I'm not. i am developing
a taste for buttered toast-and that
settles the matter, Mr.. Duhon says,
But am going to entertain all the
ssme-and am dreadfully afraid OF
the society columns in the journal
suppose they should say that the
flowers at this reception only cost $500
instead Of 500. It's an awful power,
that society column, and / should like
TO propitiste II Why shouldn't ! buy
the Journal. nlckf'