The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-12-11
THE NEW DEPARTMENT.
She Edited the Column on Love
and Matrimony, ~

and Matrimony. a.
Before the eRon-committal door leading
into the editorial department. of city
daily stood a woman whose face plainly
indicated painful hes itation and reluc-
tauce. Her thoughts cried out almost
audibly: "Where is all the courage
with which 1 left home? They will
hear my heart beat ar mink I am
Knocking, anyway, so l might as we'll
do it. If he Is perfect bear, as they
tell me, when at work, he can't do more
than eat me-"
Then she gathered strength enough
TO call the attention of scribbler with.
in, who called out: ''Come in to her
feminine rap, as he followed his voice
In a dazed fashion from out the heaps of
papers, books and dust in which he had
been immersed.
To her intimidated request for Mr.
Barrows, the editor, he replied: "Oh;
you want to see the chief! First door
to the right, and sank into oblivion of
her presence.
Thus encouraged the intruder acceded
to the request to ''please knock" on the
first door to the right, and was told to
''come in" by business-like voice.
Now that the first awful moment of
admittance had passed her spirits rose.
giving strength to her purpose and
tongue. SIS this Mr.. Barrows?" she
asked. as the sole occupant of the room
rose to his feet at sight of the unexpect-
ed and altogether taking Individual
approaching his desk.
'Yes, miss, he replied, ''can l do any
thing for you?"
Looking straight up at him, with her
whole stock of courage to the front,
she said: eyes, sir, you can. I want
work. Have you any to give me?"
If she had asked for bread the editor
could not have been more surprised, as
he looked at the brown-eyed girl whose
distinctively feminine and protected ap-
pearance and generally well-kept air be-
lied her words. At last he recovered
sufficiently to say: What kind OF
work do you want? Have seat and let
US talk about it." %#
'tYes, thank you, might as well sit
down and come to the point Immediate
ly. You and have mutual friend in
Mr.. Jameson, the architect He knew L
wanted something to do on newspaper,
and mentioned you as the only editor of
his acquaintance. did not know even
as many as one. am still in my salad
days of journalism, as you have probably
surmised, never having been in an Office,
but good many of my things have been
published over my first name-Jean-
the last name is Elford-Jean Elford. l
wrote only for ramusementGntilm my father
died two years ago, when l was twenty
one. Since then my mother and i have
not found life such smooth sailing.
Now, want some regular employment
on paper, and am willing to begin at
the bottom and work up
Now Edward Barrows was an editor
hardened in the ways of feminine appli-
cants for assistance; besides being a
bachelor on the wrong side of forty, with
the reputation of being what has truly
never existed, woman hater. But the
way IN which this girl struck from the
shoulder" as he told her afterwards,
oyerthrew his defense at one blow.
well, Miss Elford, shall be glad to
DO any thing in my power for you, if
only for the sake of Jameson. am
surprised at his sending any one to me,
considering my reputation for growing
when in my den,' he added, with a
quizzieal look.
She laughed and dared to reply: sT
mastconfess you are surprise to me,
ior was assured that it would be TAX
ing my life in my hands, this interview
ihg you about newspaper work"
The veteran glanced at himself in an
advertising mirror hanginggon the wall,
wondering if he had reached his dotage |
70 like such impudence from a stranger.
In few words he explained to her
inc hardships of such life; the army |
q volunteers enlisting in the war of |
words for bread every day; and finally |
wat ne had no vacancies on his paper; |
aiIa moreover, he knew nothing of her capa-
oiiltles as he had never happened to
soihe across articles signed Jean" but
oscause | know nothing of you is no /
sign you can't write" he put in as a
sugar plum after a bitter pill "Al-
Enough can do nothing for you perma-
Aentiy, If you will send me something
~ nave done perhaps I could publish
- articie now and then or help you to a
pace In some other office"
:, after which she could do no more
laA oe grateful for crumbs and rush
ssa. sss.le % get up something fine in her
y, y, pest style for the bear that did
: 'aesE snail apartments up.spwa