Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-20
HE WAS THE RIGHT SORT.

From the Portland Adyerti.ar

From the Portland Advertiser
Some years ago q grssn-looking fellow
appeared in the city editors room in a Chicago
newspaper Office and wanted a Job. The city
editor told him that there was no vacancy at
present-that Is the usual formula-but that 10
he came across a good bit OF news il would be
cheerfully accepted and paid for. The Young
man brought in what stuff he could. and some
times an Item or two was used; but more often
nothing was available. and me fellow lived as
best he could and slept in sheds or in the park
and never grumbled. The editor began to get
tired OF seeing his want-stricken face. and once
or twice advised him to go home, but the
young man said that perhaps chance would
come along by and by, and ANYHOW he was
there TO stay. One night the city editor said
to him:
If you want chance there's beautiful
one open for you tonight. The street car men
are having meetings every night, and We can't
hnd out what they are up to. They meet at
"All right" said the young man. Have Won
this paper?''
Not in the least" said the editor with a
grin Il may say, though. that Ratagan. who
pital to-day"
Seeing how much in earnest the Young man
was the city editor I'D lied:
1.-The meeting is S.ade's regular assignment
tonight, but don't think he'll get much ex-
cept broken head perhaps. ANYHOW. IL Won
get anything at all it'll ali help out. Here's a
couple of dollars to meet any expenses YOU
may have"
Shortly after midnight the young man an
peared in the city editors room. He looked
as If he had been principal in prize fight.
'Well?' said the city editor.
Il couldn't getin," remarked the young man.
Has Mr.. Slade brought anything?'
Yes. first rate excuse: like yours"
II tried to pass the guards but they flung
me down stairs. That's how got this, point
ing to his cut and swollen lip.
in"
Il bribed fellow for 81 to let me in the
back way. They found me out and dropped me
out of the window. That's how I got this, y
pointing to his closed right eye. II felt little
cast down when they dropped me out Of the
window"
That's not bad. You ought to apply for q
position in the paragraph department"
Il climbed up to the roof on the rear fire
escape, got into the top story through the trap
door, went down to the room above them by
the star, and found that the stovepipe came
up through the floor"
Yes, said the city editor, with increasing
interest
They were having such a stormy time below
.hat removed the stoveplpe without any one
hearing, and held the lower pipe from falling
with my left hand"
Yes"
Il could move it aside and see all I wanted
to. and hear everything"
Yes"
They have resolved to go on strike on all
the lines tomorrow morning, and every one is
sworn to secrecy"
Great Scott cried the city editor, jumping
10 ms 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 stove
pipe till every one was gone, and then lit il up
again so they wouldn't suspect. Good scheme
for next meeting. So 1 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 because his
rule was:
Never have a good excuse"