Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-01-11
A GOOD NEWSPAPER STORY.
THE GREEN YOUNG MAN WHO
NEVER HAD AN EXCUSE
BUT GOT THERE.


the papers there told me this story,
which will show the advantage OF
not having an excuse:
Some years ago a looking
fellow appeared in the city editors
room from no one knew where and
wanted job. The city editor told
him, az he had told hundreds of
fellows before hun, that there was
no vacancy at presrnt-that IS the
usnal lOrmula-but il he came
across a good bit OF news it would
be cheerfully accepted and paid
for.
Well, the young man brought in
what stuff he coHld, and sometimes
an item or two was used, but more
often nothing vas available, and
the fellow lived as best he could
and slept IN sheds or in the park
aud 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 a
chance would come along by and
by, and anyhow, he was there to
stay. One night the city editor
said 70 him.
"If you want a chance there's a
beautiful one open TOR you tonight.
The street carmen are haYing meet
ings every night and we can't find
out what they are up to. They
meet at the corner Of street and
avenue.p
Gall right" said the young man.
"Have you any objection to my
saying Pm a reporter on this pa
perp
"Not in the least" said the ed.
itor with a grin. 81 may sa y
though, that Ratagan who tried to
get last nights meeting, is in the
hospital today
Seeing how much in earnest the
young man was the city editor
added.
"The meeting is Shades regular
assignment tonight, but [. don''
think he'll get much except q
broken head, perhaps. Anyhow
you get anything at all it'll all
help out. Here's a couple of dol
lars to meet any expenses you may
have"
Shortly after midnight the young
man appeared III the city editors
room. He looked as if he had
been principal in a prize fight.
SWELL" SAID the city editor.
81 couldn't get in," remarked the
young man. "Has Mr.. Slade
brought anythlngp
Eyes, a 1rst.rate excuse, like
yours
81 tried to pass the guard, but
they flung me down stairs. That's
how got this" pointing to his cul
and swollen lip.
"Well, you mustn't feel dis
couraged.'
81 felt little cast down wher
they dropped me out of the win
dow
"That's not bad. You ought tC
apply for a position IN the para
graph department.
81 climbed up to the roof on thu
rear fire escape, got into the toI
story through the trap door, wen
down to the room above them by
the stair, and found that the stow
pipe came up through the floor"
"Yes," said the city editor witt
increasing interest,
They were having such q storm.
time below that l removed tn
stovepipe without any one hearing
and held the lower pipe from fall
ing with my LETT hand"
eyes"
81 could move it aside and SCI
all wanted to and hear every
thing"
"HeS."
"Tbey have resolved to go oil
strike OH all the lines at . o'cloc'
tomorrow morning, aud every on
is sworn to secresy."
"Great Scott" cried the cit.
editor, jumping to his feet, "wrlt
, that up. Give US all You can OF 1t.
, "It is written up. You see tn
electric light opposite made th
. roof light enough to write by, an
, | had to stay there and hold til
, stoyepipe till every one was gone
and then fit 1t up again 80 the
D wouldn't suspect. Good schem
: for next meeting. SO | wrote 1t u
as l lay tbere.'
"Great head" said the city ed
tor.
That young man is now mans
d ging one of the biggest papers
! tba wast. and all because his ru