St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-09-04
A NEWSPAPER ROMANCE
Why Mrs. Warner Purchased a
Great Metropolitan Journal.

Mary Warner was the richest woman
in California, if not. indeed, the richest
woman in the world. Her husband had
accumulated his fortune in railroad
time to lose it again. Possessed Of
sound sense, and blessed with judicious
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 fiftieth
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 had
not been the scene OF any such festivi-
ties as its generous and costly garniture
befitted. 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, wo-
man who had subsidized from the brief
prosperity of the Ranch Luque Mines
into a 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 eseonced herself in
coy corner of the conservatory accom-
panied by Mr.. Richard Headley, the
managing editor of the San Francisco
Journal. Mr.. Headley was only thirty
wears 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,
sand why haven't you been down to
Menlo lately? You are not going to
forget your old friends now that
you are becoming a great man, sure
Iy?"
s.No, indeed, dear Mrs. Warner
sadsHeadley, ..but the responsibilities
of my position, as what you call "a great
man keep me pretty busy. You see,
everv man on the staff, from the city
editor to the sporting reporter, thinks
TDaG UG WOuIu udNO Dl1Ch pun O1o Ouh-
cans berth infinitely better than l 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 hands?"
ssI'm afraid it's true. Cushman wants
10 60 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. I think it will be
bought by syndicate, headed by the
Flynns. =
..And how will that affect you?"
seThrow me out in short order. The
Flvnns have never forgiven me for att
lacking them when Twas on the Herald,
and they would give my chair to old
Parsons, anyway. There no use pre-
tending I don't feel badly about it, be-
cause / do. / shall have to start fresh
somewhere else, and shall hardly have
such luck again. I
Mrs. Warner looked at him kindly,
and put her hand on his arm 1t was
not pretty hand; as a girls hand it
had been almost tooround and dimpled,
and it had lost all its shapeliness since
then.
s.Dick, how much does the Journal
makepn
FIFTY thousand ayear, in round num-
beers. Sometimes there are big subsidies
that run it over that, but fifty thousand |
is a fair estimate.
s.And how much does Mr.. Cushman
expect to get from this syndicate forthe
paperp''
They talk about eapitalizing it at
10000 shares at $3.50 each, but think
about 800, 900 will come to eastman
The paper is worth that fairly enough.
ssAnd what are your plans, Dick? You