The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-08
NM FIRST ATTEMPT.


4 journalist Tells Of His First News
paper Work.
Cashlsmet Gasetse.
II was while living in Iowa that l made
my first essay at writing for the press, in
one of the Missouri river towns. the history
OF which was . daily practical demonstra-
ton OF the genuine Americanisms--hustle
and hustle. tussle and rustic.
The local w. C. T. T., OF which was
an adherent, had become considerably
worked up over the case of . one-legged
man who kept . fruit stand under the
shadow of one Of the big business blocks.
The principal tenants OF the block-Har-
vey & Hall--the largest house in town in
the same time. did not intend, If they
could help it, that their humble rival should
get even the crumbs that fell from their
in unequivocai terms. to move on.
The good ladies, singiy and in twos and
threes had been taking the firm over the
Goals periodically for some time. They
proved utterly obdurate, however. and
their obduracy had begun to develop into
ugiiness. As last resort | was formally
deputed TO open an assault on the enemy
through the medium of the leading paper
in town, the Journal. an ail-alive morning
daily. The implied compliment to my lit
erary ability was appreciated to
its fullest extent. / spent every
spare moment of the next two
days arranging my ideas in quite pre-
sentsble language. as I thought, and lay
ing off in theatrical style before q looking
lass, as private opportunities offered. BY
the end of this time had screwed up
courage to crate quite a lengthy address
before the whole Journal staff, if need were.
This we outlined, in family conclave. would
correspond with the lodging of information
in . police case. scsthing editorial
wouId doubtless follow Immediately.
Harvey & Hall would have nobody but
themselves to blame." ETC., etc.
Taking considerable pains with my toll
let advanced the following forenoon on
the business Office of the paper. My ardor
began to diminish in most disconcerting
manner as l assembled the steps of the
three-story structure and when found
myself in lofty, bank-like apartment, im-
posing in massive mahogany and oristiing
with impressiveness generally. only the
force Of my convictions kept me from beat
ing hasty retreat.
An abrupt "Weil, !" from clerk who had
caught sight of me from behind one Of the
little postofiice wickets. which occurred at
regular intervals all down the room,
brought me face to face with the situation.
Il came to tell you about the one-legged
man who keeps stand at the corner Of
Pierce street." began awkwardiy to stan,-
mer.
What's the matter with him? was the
stony response.
Harvey & Hall want to get him out of
that" stammered, getting more nervous
every moment and realizing with mortify-
ing distinctness that 1 was in the wrong
box
20, you had better see the local editor,
Mr., Judd, about that" he returned in an
off-hand manner. II guess he's on the
street just now, but he'll be upstairs in
the Office in the evening"" With a mental
sensation somewhat resembling a pune
tured balloon, backed out of the door,
hurriedly.
Reinforced by q friend who happened to
he casually acquainted with Mr.. Judd,
made my way back in the evening to the
Journal building. We entered. A blaze Of
light seemed to Till succession of rooms.
In the first We sighted the "local" seated
at desk.
This Is letter I've brought you"
''oh. yes" he thoughtfully remarked.
We'll see. how We stand for space to-
night" nodding conhdentially.
The Journal did not lie long on the porch
next morning. We scanned it carefully
over column by column. Away down
among the "City Briefs" wedged in be-
tween q comment on the weather and the
arrest of plain drunk" we read:
We are in receipt of . very volaminous letter
announcing that the ladies OF the W, C. 7. Z.
have resolved to aid the one-legsed peanut ped
dler at the corner Of Pierce and Fourth streets,
70 hold the fort against oil odds.
Just how 1t was achieved ! never knew
properly. But the peanut peddier was al
lowed after that TO possess his stand In
peace and quietness-