Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-14

/ Lake Sharp In Detroit Pres Press-l
( When vss IN Oh c.yo last summer tbs
city editor Of ons Of the pApers there told ne
this story, which viii show the advantage Of
not having an excuse
4 Some years ago green looking fellow sp-
/ pe4red in the city editors room from no one
knew where, and wanted job The city
editor told him, a. he had told hundreds Of
fellows before him, that there vas no vacan-
I cy al prsseHt-thAt 10 the usual formula
but that II be came across a good bi;ot news
it would be ebeerfuiiy accepted and paid for.
Well, the young man brought in What
stun be could, and sometimes an item or
two vas used; but more often nothing vas
available, and the fellow lived xs bes, he
. could and slept in sheds or in the park and
never zrumbled. The editor began 10 get
tired Of seeing his want stricken face, and
once or twice advised him 70 90 home, but
the young man said that perhaps q chance
you'd come along BY and by, and anyhow
ne vas there 10 stay One night the city
editor said 10 him:
If you want chance there's q beautiful
one open for you tonight. The street car
men are having meeting, every night, and
We can't fad out -hat they arc up to. They
meet At the corner of til street and -
avenue"
AN right, said the young man.
Have you any objection, 70 my saying
I'm reporter on this paper?"
Not in the least" said the editor with a
grin. II may say, though, that Reagan
Who tired to get last nights meeting, 10 in
the hospital to-day"
Seeing how much in earnest the young
man vas the city editor added
=
ment tonight, but | don't think he'll get
much except broken head perhaps. Any
how, If you get anything at ali it'll all help
out Here's = couple Of dollars to meet
any expenses you may have"
Shortly after midnight the young man APP
peared in the city editors room. He looked
As II he had been principal in prize fight. -
We'll, said the city editor.
81 couldn't get in" remarked the young
man Has Mr.. Slade brought snything?"
Yes, first rate excuse, like yours"
81 tried TO pass the guards, but they flung
me down st&irs. That's how | got this, {"
pointing To his cut and swollen lip.
Tina . all right. didn't expect you'd
getin."
II bribed fellow for dollar to let me
in the back way. They found me out and
dropped me out Of the window. That's how
got this, pointing 10 his closed right eye
well, you mustn't feel discouraged"
81 felt . little cast down when they
dropped me out of the window"
That's not bad. You ought to apply for
position in the paragraph de partment."
Il climbed up to the roof on the rear Are
escape, got into the top story through tn.
trap door, went down to the room above them
BY the stair and found that the stovepipe
came up through the floor"
Yes" said the city editor with increasing
interest
They were having such = stormy time
below that | removed the stovepipe without
any one hearing and held the lower pipe
from falling with my left hand"
'.Kes"
II could move it aside and see all wanted
to and hear everything"
Yes"
They have resolved to 20 on strike on all
the lines at tomorrow morning, and every
one 10 sworn to secrecy"
Great Scott !" cried the city editor jump
ing to his feet, write that up. Give US all
you can Of it.
1T is written up. You see the electric
light opposite made the roof light enough
to write by, and had to stay there and hold
the stovepipe till every one was gone, and
hen 6t it up again so they wouldn't sus-
pect. Good scheme for next meeting. So
wrote it up as lay there"
Great head" said the city editor.
That young man is now managing one of
the biggest papers in the West, and all be-
cause his rule was
Never hare good eIeass."