The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-04-29
"A BORN JOURNALIST"
THE YOUNG MAN WHO KNEW 1T ALL

Opie Read, who is a professional
humorist, knows sham when he |
sees one, and he takes off one of
that class in the following sketch in
the Arkdnsd,c Traueler:
George d. Prentice, while editor
of the Louisville journal, was often
importuned by college men who
painted for q chance to send q culver
through the great reading world. A
graduate named Edwards was SO
fortunate as to secure trial on the
Journal. He was 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 editor and discharge his duties
in way that would render the
readers oblivious to the change.
The great journalist had, by very
dear friend, been recommended to
Prentice, consequently the editor
was anxious that the young man
should do well. During the after
noon of the third day, Edwards went
into Prentice's room, and, with an
air of self-confidence, began to boast
of his newspaper requirements.
"There is great deal in the
newspaper business after ALL" said
he.
Mr.. Prentice agreed that there
was a great deal in the newspaper
business after all.
Eyes, SIR" Edwards continued,
s'when was at school l used to
think that man could learn all
about the whole thing in day or
two, but he can't do it. / think,
though, that some men inherit
kind of insight into the Journalistic
professional, don't you!'
at seems So" Mr.. Prentice re-
piled.
eyes," Edwards resumed, "some
men have natural facility for
forming the opinions of others; and,
sir, the beauty Of it j. the natural
product journalist forms opinion so
skillfully that the man who reads it
swallows it, and, by George, sir,
thinks that he himself formed it.
''Very often the case, no doubt"
replied Mr.. Prentice.
"Now," Edwards went on, that's
what 1 regard as journalism. None
of your slipshod business about
that. suppose, Mr.. Prentice, you
have observed that l have learned to
say things pleasantly
"Yes.'
tThat's one acquisition. Now,
what next would you adviser
Learn something to say
"Why, IL" stammered Mr..
Edwards, II thought that
''No explanations are necessary, t"
said Mr.. Prentice. Then, turning
in his chair and bestowing quizzi-
cal look upon the upstart, the man,
whose idlest pen-stroke was some
times gauging pasquinade, said:
"Your foresight is too clear to
enable you to become Journalistic
GLOW SOP
"Why, you see through the whole
thing. You can look into the bust
ness of newspaper like a prophet
could look into the future. This in
the end, must render the business
distasteful to you, for, as all stroll
lers will tell you, the most pleasant
road to traverse is the one that offers
the largest number of surprises
glimpse of shining water, a moments
view of rich landscape. Therefore
would advise you to give up thu
newspaper business, for it will un
doubtedly become distasteful, like {
monotonous path too often gon
over. know that it would be a strug
gle to tear yourself away now, bu
you should make the sacrifice. Yol
owe it to your father, your mother
your creditors"
II know there is much truth il
what you say, Mr.. Prentice, but
have given SO much thought to thi
business, that now, to throw it ava
and engage in something else, woul
be changing the course of life
would be like changing the channt
of mighty river"
Edwards smote his troubled breast
lifted up his mustache, put finge
on each side of his mouth, an
missed the spittoon six inches.
81 foresee the struggle" and MI
Prentice, 'but because struggle
foreseen is no reason that it shout
be averted. Life is struggle.
"But Mr.. Prentice, what woul
you advise me to do?"
"Your foresight prompts me
suggest the advisability of runnin
government. / don't know any
thing about the chances for gettin
that kind of situation at present