Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-09-13
HE BEAT rnxsG AlL

4 Ways31o JournallGet Daa41nA1o -.
eess 80 CITY 8epaasse.
The brilliant young journalist who
gave up IN honored position On the
Juniper Cove Wi7d F7oWer and became
a reporter on q city daily paper. did
not prove to be great success When
he left the Cove his friends predicted
that he would win golden opinions. :"
They knew that he would soon mount
to the top of the tripod" whatever
that may mean, and that at no distant
day he would be recognized as one Of
the greatest journalists of the country.
He went to work with full confidence
in himself He was sent out to inves-
tigate the letting of STRENGTHENING
contract, but as he felt himself to be
above such dirty work, he disregarded
the assignment. and. as he expressed
it. turned aside to pluck the wild fow-
ers of thought that sprang up by the
roadside.
Jackson said the city editor,
show do you like daily newspaper
work."
II am delighted with it, for in such
noble work my pen has long sought OPP
portunity of addressing thousands of
plastic Headers-plastic, for can We not
mold them into higher and diviner
shape?'
"Yes, that's very well. but what
great thought do YOU intend to convey
in this saloon puff?'
That is not intended a. brilliant
idea," jackson replied. 1T is piece
of-well you might almost say, vulgar
information. but you know that it is
sometimes necessary to give the news.
That which you have designated as q
puff is clean beat"
''Or dead beat, rather" the city
editor suggested.
''Oh, no; far from it. I call it q
clean beat because l was the only re-
porter In town who knew of the open
ing of that saloon. Search all the pa
pers tomorrow, and l warrant you
that you can not find a line regarding
it,
'All right; that's one beat. Now,
let me see." the city editor continued.
as he began to look through a pile of
manuscript. ''if you have any others.
All, see here that Hank J. Doyle has
been awarded the responsible position
of section boss on the Air Line rail-
way
Yes. sir, and no other reporter ia
town is likely to stumble upon that
information. / forgot to insert-and
l wish you would do so-that he is to
receive salary of fifty dollars per
month";
''Yes. I'll do so, for your suggestion
is bright and timely. l would like to
ask favor of you,'' the city editor
continued. Il would like, when l
think it necessary, to make some tri-
fling alterations in your copy, such as
making more pronounced dot over
an j, or drawing, with holder stroke,
line across a t.
Mr.. jackson, after a moments re-
lection, replied: while l object to
the making of any change in the con-
struction of my sentences. will con-
sent to the alterations you suggest"
''Oh, l thank you the city editor
exclaimed. Let me see now what
else you have. Oh, you say that Dan
Peckels has taken a permanent posi-
ton in lips barber shop. How did
you get that item?'
by the merest accident; and do you
know that the best items are found by
accident? This nose for news idea is
simply the peculiar and innate faculty
of stumbling upon something"
Are you sure that this information
is authentic?''
Surely"
And there is no necessity of my
sending out another reporter to get ad-
ditional information?
None whatever, assure YOU"
''Oh, thank YOU for relieving me of
such a world of worry. Now, let me
see. Your next copy must be in ex-
actly upon the time which shall spec.
n;.'
'.All right" replied jackson. glsnc-
ing at his watch, name the time"
LET me see. It is nine FIVE, now"
.'Yes, SIR"
''Well, have your next batch of copy
in just sixteen years from this time.
Goodbye until then. "-Ark0nsaUI raU-
eler.