Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-01-09

~ Gfssa Tosns Mia whs Nsvsr HsA :
GYsdEreass, ana WIN Got Thsrs Quiss
utnsssesiy.
Whsn I was in Chicago last summer
the city editor u onc Of the papers
there told me this story, which will
ahow the advantage Of not having an ex-
cuse.
Some years ago q green-looking fell
low appeared in the city editors room
from no one knew where, and wanted Z
Job. The city editor told him a. he had
told hundreds OF fellows before him,
that there was no vacancy at present
that is the usual ~forr1ula-but that il he
came across q good hit OF news it would
be cheerfnlly accepted and paid for.
Well, the Young man brought in what
stuff he could, and sometimes an item
or two was used; but more often moth
ing was available, and the fellow lived
the 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 60 home, but the young
man said that perhaps q 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 . beau
tiful one open for you tonight. The
street car men are having meetings
every night, and we can't find ont what
they are up to. They meet at the cor
ner of -th street and - n
@All right said the Young man.
Have you any objections to my say
ing I'm a reported on this paper?'
Not in the least said the editor
with . grin. Il may say, though that
Ratagan, who tried to get last nights
meeting, is In the hospital to-day"
Seeing how much in earnest the
young maj VAS the city editor added:
THE meeting is SHADES regular assign
ment tonight. but / don't think he'll
get much except a broken head, per-
haps. Anyhow, II You get anything at
all it'll all help out. Here's q couple Of
dollars to meet any expenses You may
have"
Shortly after midnight the young
man appeared in the city editors room.
He looked rs il he had been principal in
a prize fight.
"Well." said the city editor.
Il couldn't get in" remarked the
young man. HAS Mr.. Slade brought
anythingT !.
"Yes, a first-rate excuse, like yours"
II tried to pass the guards, but they
flung me down stairs, That in how /
got this" pointing to his cut and swollen
lip.
That's all right. ! didn't expect
you'd get in"
Il bribed a fellow for a dollar to let
me in the back way. They found me
out and dropped me ont Of a window.
That's how / got this pointing to his
closed right eye.
well, you mustn't feel discouraged"
Il felt a little cast d ,wn when they
dropped me out of the window"
"That's not bad. You ought to apply
for a position in the paragraph depart
ment.'
II climbed up to the roof on the rear
fire escape, got into the top story
through the trap door, went down to
tile rom above them by the stair, and
found that the stove pipe came up
through that floor
yes" said the city editor with in
creasing interest.
"They were having such o stormy
time below that l removed the stovepipe
without anyone hearing and held the
lower pipe from falling with my left
hand
"Tes."
II could move it aside and see all
wanted to and hear everything"
Yes"
"They have resolved to go on strike
on all the lines at 8 tomorrow morning,
and every one il sworn to secresy."
4Great Scott" cried the city editor,
jumping to his feet, @write that up,
Give us all you can of it,"
1T is written up. You see the cleo
trio 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 then fit it up again
so they wouldn't suspect. Good scheme
for next meeting. So / wrote it up a.
I 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:
"Neuer haze a good ercuser-Lalk,
Sharp, in Detroit Free Press.