The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-01-05
HE WOULD BE AN EDITOR.
Fanciful Flight and Rude Awakening
Of an Ambitious Youth.

He thought he was inspired by th,
flame of genius, and his mind had {
decided literary bent. In his calloN
high school days his teacher had
told him that his compositions wer,
the best in the school, and she
thought his name would be inscribed
high in the roll Of fame. He did not
know at first whether to be a poet OF
great novelist. but had finally de.
cided to become a journalist. He
had seen some pretty good articles
in the newspapers on the tariff and
the situation in Europe, and he was
sure he could write just such pieces
Then he thought the newspapers did
not come out sufficiently strong as
reformers. He thought he knew
how they could be materially i'm
proved.
So here he was in the editorial
rooms of the newspaper to which he
had decided to offer his services. In
his pocket were one or two of his best
high school compositions, and sever
al editorials which he had written
just to show the editor what he
could do, and to initiate the line of
policy which he thought a good
newspaper should carry. Besides
this he had a letter of introduction.
There were reporters and sub editors
in the room, and they were all
busy at something or other, but it APP
peared to the embryo journalist that
somehow they did not show in their
faces a proper responsibility and APP
probation of the great profession of
journalism. He stood in the middle
Of the room with his hat off and
waited for some one to take him by
the hand and ask after his health;
but no one did. There was con
fused uproar and the Young man Sc
cretly vowed that he would have
more silence when he ran the paper.
He did not see how any one could
work in such a noise.
Finally as no one spoke to him he
asked a young man with cheekered
trousers and cigar stub, whom he
took for the sporting reporter but
who proved to be the religious editor,
for the managing editor. The man
aging editor was in, but he did not
greet the young man with the genial
effusiveness he expected to see. The
managing editor was writing letter
with one hand, with the other he
was editing communication, while
he was talking with the foreman
about space in the days edition.
He waited for the managing editor
to speak, but as he didn't the young
man told him that he had decided
to become great editor, and that
the Jangler should have the first bid
for his services. At the same time
he laid his bundle of editorials on
the desk. The managing editor
opened the first one, and asked
ANY stamp for return?" and before
the young man could answer, dump
ed them into the waste basket. This
shocked the young mans feelings.
How much experience have you
had?" This question was somewhat
and asked only as a mat
ter of form. The expected answer
being returned the letter Of introduce
ton was produced. The force of the
paper needed no reinforcement but
the managing editor told the now
discouraged applicant that he might
make himself useful in the office for
a day or two and perhaps something
might turn up.
The books in the library needed |
classifying and the young man was
given the job The books were very
dirty. and it wasn't pleasant work at
all. Then the religious editor want
ed some fine cut tobacco, and the
young man inspired by the flame
and genius had to go after it. The
editor wanted a two col
UNI. law copied from the State code,
and the young man copied it in his
best high school hand. 1t was hard
work, and he really did not feel like
a moulder of public opinion while he
was doing it. He finished the work
and was sent to the house of the ed
itor in chief, nineteen blocks away,
after some copy. Then he went
home. The next day he went to the
editor and told him his
uncle had offered him a place in his
grocery store at 81 week, and he
guessed he'd take it. He hoped the
editor would not be dis
And the managing editor wasn't.
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