The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-05-26
without waiting even to see the paper go

uNN III lcuSl, ms HIot dD0'i'' ~ wa '"' -
The death notice read;
"In this city, on the goth inst, Web
stor Reese, aged 80 years. Deceased was
a medal of honor man Of Company r,
Pennsylvania volunteers, and in gallant
action 81 the assault and capture OF
Maryes Heights. fredericksburg, Va,
received a wound which resulted in his
death.
Funeral ceremonies will be conducted
by Nathaniel Lyon Post, Grand Army OF
the Republic
The relationship between this fallen
hero and the managing editor proved as
mysterious as any of his other connec-
tions outside of the Office for within a
week after his return it began to be whis.
percd about that Prof. Tom was actually
improving. Not that he labored less; II
such n thing was possible, he did more,
being at any time worth two men in the
office. Neither could it be said that he
was more genial, but somehow he looked
changed. His face assumed softer ex-
preston, a less burdened one, and when
pair of Indian clubs were one evening
hauled out of the corner where they had
rested for an age, and whirled around
like pair of humming birds at one stalk,
the printers devil, chuckling to himself
| at the novel scene, cried out to Bones, "
the copyhoder; II say, Bones, wouldn't
| it be n good scheme to have the professor
| sign with our Grandeur Miner
could ,riun thn Snpaynr follows
three and beat them then" came the
quick reply. Matters continued to i'm
prove, and when the long, pleasant spring
days appeared our managing editor con
trived TO make shorter hours at his desk,
at the same time accomplishing the same
marvellous amount of work as before; but
where this extra time was spent no one
but Thomas Whitaker himself could
have given an account. He kept good
company, if company it was, for he grew
ruddy and boyish looking. He was re
garded with astonishmcnt by all, and the
prophecy that Prof. Tom will kill him
self with his work, went out of use and
ont of mind.
Now, Tho Grandeur was an afternoon
paper, and since the coming of Whitaker
as manager, it had not missed one of its
three evening editions. six days in week,
including holidays. Judge then of the
establishment with which all hands heard
the editor call out to the foreman of the
press room on the morning of Decoration
day, I'VE will omit the last two editions
today"
Cant do it, sir, replied the chief of
the type settlers, so dazed by the unex-
pected order, that he forgot who was
speaking.
I'VE will do it," came the mild but firm
response I'VE will do it. 1t is holiday
of which we must make an exception I'll
have to leave the first edition in your
hands; am going to join the column on
parade" Truly, news has no breaks.
Prof. Tom was going on parade.
Earthquakes, broken banks, rumors of
war in Europe, all were common place by
the side of this announcement.
1t required the personal presence both Of
Nick" and Bones to verify the truth of
it. These two important characters gen
orally possessed inside information of the
doings of the sanctum quarters. ooh,
it's true" exclaimed Nick to doubling
nearer, "and you needn't hedge on that
cablegram, either"
"Why, we've seen his uniform, inter
rupted Bones, "spick and span-big brass
buttons-G. A. r. and all that-that" -
His memory failing, for he had no text to
follow, Nick prompted him.
THAT insignia of the order"
eyes, that insig '-stammercd Bones,
when the editor himself made his appear.
ancc, the blue blouse and soldier cap in
his hand.
Walking to the reporters table in tho
ante room, he opened Il package Of adj
iustible buttons and letters, with silver
wreath and bullion cord, and, apparently
regardless of tho crowd of employees
around him, began to prepare his novel
suit.
BY this time the publisher Of The
Grandeur had climbed the three flights of
stairs leading into the room, drawn thither
by the news, and putting and blowing
IIDIt Illc 'Atltivh w pNN "h'th'h AhO
Grandeur was in very truth about to stul-
tify its ten years record by suspending
two issues.
well, well Whitaker, didn't know
that you had ever been in the army"
81 was there. sir, even If you did not
know it,"
why, you were only boy then that's
years and years ago"
eyes, was boy, but l was one of
1000, 600 boys who fought the war"
This questioning of u fact of tho past
seemed to arouse personal pride, and
having completed his dress to his salts
faction he slipped on the blouse, drew it
in, buttonod it tightly, and placing the
Mcclellan cap rather jauntily, it must be
| confessed, upon his head-wth his 1.-the,
straight figure, pale, earnest face, and
| deep blue eye, he looked the ideal soldier
YES, was soldier" ho continued
proudly, his eye wandering over his audi
ence; then suddenly stopped, as though
| he had said too much. A second thought
urged him on, and he continued more
| gently:
| AN EDITORS WAR STORY.
4