The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

such good account that was spoken OF on
all sides as "A promising young man.
might have gone on this way and ultimately
attained to a bald head and a sub-editorship
at fifty or so, but for doing two exceedingly
foolish things. made the acquaintance of
Charlie Dashwood, and fell desperately in
love with pretty actress, and one who was
quite as clever and good as she was pretty
Lizzie Rayburn-you remember herr THIS
Charlie Dashwood was a journalist like my
sofia wild, harum-scarum fellow OF the
speculative sort-you'vc met this prototype,
dare say; always going off MT tangent
or breaking out in fresh place when least
expected; full of extravagent ideas about
the undiscovered possibilities of the press;
always vaporng about the reforms he in
tended to originate, il ever he should edit
paper of his own l, at that time, admiring
and looking up to Charlie, not only as the
best of good fellows, which he really was,
but ms the very prince of journalists and an
original genius, which only too late, have
discovered he was not, firmly believed in
and held to him in spite of the ridicule and
chaff of older and wiser heads.
"At last, one day Charlie came TO me at
the Office in perfect frenzy of excitement
with the news that he had just taken the
management of new weekly paper called
The Bullseye, which would make its appear
ance the following week, and which had, us
usual, been started to fill the not particularly
noticed void. We're all full up with the
exception Of the dramatics, and, Teddy, my
boy. you're the very man know you have
ideas of your own about the way that sort
of thing should be done, and here's the op-
portunity. Between us, we will make the
paper the biggest go in London
"What Dashwood said was true. l Lad
long possessed secret yearnings that way,
, which I had at times confided to Charlie.
For moment considerations OF prudence
came to my aid, and / ventured the mild
suggestion of doubt as to whether was
quite fitted for thatli of work.
.sNonsense, my boyr said Charlie; Il
know your proper capacity. You're sure
to make hit 1t was a curious fact that
Charlie possessed the most remarkable in
tuitive faculty for discovering everybody's
proper capabilities except his own.
".Besides.' he added, think Of Lizzie.
"That settled it. Without further ado
closed with the offer, and fortnight later
saw me installed as dramatic critic of The
Bullseye, with the title of that publication
inscribed on my cards underneath that of
The Bluuderer. The plan of operation
proceeded to act upon was this: had long
dramatic critics forever hanging round
stage doors and hotel bars. and drinking
with managers and actors, so j resolved to
set an example in the opposite direction by
keeping religiously aloof from all assocla-
ton with the profession-with one eXcep-
tion, This was Lizzie, who insisted on re-
ceiying her little paragraph OF two or three
lines regularly every week, and with whom
spent each Sunday afternoon and evening
at her fathers place in Twickenham, whittier
he had retired to spend the rest of his days,
free from the smoke of Aldgate and the
cares of the grocery business. There had
once been some talk of a Mr. Loydall,
huge, beetle -browed, hoarse-voiced ira
gedian, who played heavy lead to Lizzie's
Juveniles at the Olympian, but he soon found
out that he had no chance with me, and
after one or two tussels retired from the
battle. leaving me to walk over the course
at my leisure.
"As YOU will guess, matters were pretty
well settled between Lizzie and me, and we
obtained old Rayburn's consent to our mar
riage whenever the Blunderer's manage
ment should recognize my merits sufficiently
to advance my salary, aud to enable me to
take Lizzie away from the stage. The Bulls
eve. contrary to everybody's expectations
showed signs of becoming a pronounced
success. Ny dramatic criticisms were soon
one of the leading features of the Journal.
had always had notion that the wither-
ing, sarcastic style of writing was best
suited to me, and this was the line took, with
such effect that at times it became difficult
to find out whether had been praising or
stating u piece or an actor. Some people
were unkind enough to say that they would
prefer the latter process to the former.
Needless to say that, as the power and in
fiuence of the paper increased, soon be-
came an object of hatred and dread to the
whole profession. This only ticliled my
vanity the more, and l would strut along
Fleet street and the Strand of morning
meeting the scowl of passing pros with
stare of superciIious Indifference.
lone night, entering my club at the usual
hour, Just before starting for the Lorne
Theater, where new piece, entitled For
ife or Death was 10 be produced that
evening. ] found a telegram lying for me
in the rack. 1t was from Lizzie's mother,
telling me that Lizzie had been seized with
a dangerous illness that very morning, and
begging that / would proceed to the house
at once. For moment was in a serious
dilemma AT all hazards | must see Lizzie
that night, yet it was Imperative that
should attend the first nights show at the
Lorne having for that special occasion I'M
dertaken The Blunderers special notice in
place of the regular man, who was absent
through indisposition.
"rhen an idea struck me as i caught sight
of Scrubby, the dramatic critic of the
Scorcher at the other end of the room,
already preparing to leave. Scrubby was IL
reliable man, knew, aud the best available
for the purpose had in my mind. Crossing
over to where he was, l showed him the
telegram, and explained my difficulty
"Nothing easier my boy he exclaimed,
clappng me on the back Trust to me-
Pm going down to the show, and will leave
you a programme here, marked with my
notes, on my way 10 the office. If you're
back here by half-past ten, you'll find ii
waiting Then you can scribble your
notices for the two papers from my notes
and send them in the usual way
"Warmly shaking him by the hand, ac-
cepted his offer, and hastened away to
Twickenham. When i reached the house
found my darling already delirious in the
first stages of high fever, and calling for
me- remained by her side, holding her
hand in mine and soothing her as best
could until she had fallen off into fitful
doze. Then stole quietly away, whisper
ing to Mrs. Rayburn that 1 would return as
soon as my business in town was concluded.
"When got back TO the club / found as
expected, the programme lying in the
rack, inside an envelope addressed to me.
Scrubbys analysis of the production, play
and acting, was distinctly unfavorable, his
marginal notes having such bitterly acrid