Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-11-12


Carrie Blake Morgan.
s-----------------.u------
"ME SIDE-PARDNER."
Mr.. Dupnigan was smilingly receiv-
ing the congratulations Of the other
newspaper men who gathered around
Morman's supper table. He had given
his paper sensational scoop that
morning, aud every man who con-
graduated him Immediately asked;
But how did you get on. DunniPn
Il gos on to tho story by accident
and that's how nearly every scoop is
brought in" answered Dunnigan
modestly. IF story comes through
the regular channels there's no chance
for n scoop. and the newspaper mon
who go about looking for chance stories
exist only in novels written by men
who don't know detail book from a
scarehead = barring Tommy Paget
here. But Tommy Is not a newspaper
man-he's journalist"
more power TO himw exclaimed
Mr.. Lynn. Don't moind him, Tom
my. Shure. Dunni is jealous OF We.
It's the,young gintlemon loike you who
are elevating the profcshion and the
old hacks loike Dnnni and me must
give way before the new regime. Of
which you are Mt once the ornament
and pride. A glass of beer wild you,
Tommy"
Tommy who by this time was flush
ingslightly. tm mrud TO Patterson and
said with lofty scorn:
1T is your turn, Patsy. to score me;
jump in"
I'D strike bottom too quick" re-
sponded Patsy.
ANY one else want 20 contributor"
asked Tommy with severe politeness.
''If not. I'll Just remark that while
am humbly sensible of my sad deiicien-
cies as jourDalist-which. BY the way,
did not prevent my earning more on
space last week than MIR. Dunnigan
ever got as a salary--I am still unwill-
ing 10 admit that because / keep broke
by retaining q membership in decent
club instead OF playing poker like
Dunni. or because | still hold on TO
some decent social connections instead
Of totally outcasting myself rs all 90
you bave-I am unwilling, say. to
admit that l may not aspire to the diz-
zy professional heights capped by thai
group Of graces-Lynn, Dunnigan, aDd
Patsy.
Tommy grew redder still Mt the roar
Of laughter which greeted his fine
speech. and glared haughtily at Lynn,
who exclaimeds
.fa;etIont OF tn fine, you Dunni and
Y0n Patsyi David has come again. and
I'm his Rrophet hacker, and bottle
ty.dtr HtInk On your heavy-weights.
Dk.e ! Schooner for Mr.. Paget.n
Tommy continued 10 glare at his
grinning friends for n time. but soon
Joined the grin, for. though bristling
with pugnacity, there was no one in
the party more alive than Mr.. Pagot
10 the futility of solitary grandeur in
company Of average mortals.
Il was about TO remark" he said
with recovered good-nature, before
you all brayed at me. that Dunni may
be right in saying that most scoops
are accidental. but sometimes they
are looked for. You remember my
scoop in the Melbourne Rest robbery
There was no immediate response.
It is probable that every one at the
table did recall. but then most OF us
are sluggish In remembering other
meas scoops.
well, did get that scoop. and did
get ii because | looked for Il. 1t was
about year ago. i had been doing
the introduction to n Patti first night
aud was in evening dress; so when |
turned in my copy. as il was raining.
rang foe a coop. When told the
driver to take me up here he told me
there was TO be quiet chicken-iight in
the Melbourne Rest"
''Oh. Tommy. break away" inter-
rupted Dnnni; ''you got that's scoop
through the accident of ringing for
coop. the driver Of which happened TO
be on"
That's so." admitted Tommy. some
what crestfallep; II was put on by an
accident"
They won't let you tell your story
Tommy. but I'll prove your PROPOSE
tion that all scoops are not accidental
said Mr.. Patterson. Years ago | lay
in bed one morning reading what |
had written the night before. US you
all do every morning Of your lives,
gentlemen. After damning the proof
reading-as you all do--apd admiriug
my stuff. which still Shone desmte the
efforts Of a stupid editor to- take the
shine out--as you all admire yonrs-I
bethought me OF the various uses
could make OF the additional stipend
resulting from a scoop. i said: My
dear MIR. Patterson. pursue tho days
doings Of the first person whose iden-
tity Is logged into your life this day, II
his or her life Is open to inspection, aud
you will get story
That afternoon met on a street
crossing a man had 10 interview. and
we stood where we met. until was
snddeniy nearly knocked or pushed
down. When | recovered my usual
dignitied bearing found that / had
been pushed from In front OF rnna-
way team by very bright. exceeding
ly self-possessed aud soiled young per-
son, who drawled out between puffs OF
cigarette; Yer chumP, did yer want
ter get klllededr
Il discovered that my polite and
efficient friend was a nowsb0y had
sometimes 'staked'-I quote his Ver-
nacular-at early hours in the morn
ing. when he conlded TO me that his
game OF 'crusoe' had resulted in break
log him. ..
n knew him only as Pete 1ud 4
knew him so well that anticip4 ~ his
next remark; I'm dead broke ~.
Patterson. an ant got no stake fsr der
evenin' polpere.'
II siaked Pete aud took him TO a
clothlers whore had credit aud furn-
ished him with suit OF which
he called harness Il occurred 10
mo that no was the person l should
pursue for my story.
''llu thanked mo profusely for the