New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-13
DRAGGED INTO PUBLICITY.
A SAD INSTANCE OF THE ABUSE OF THE POWER
m THE PRESS


Jonas. having Inv years OF biting economy ana a
hard listed meanness toward his employees, acquired
n comfortable fortune, thought 1t about time u'a'
he began 20 entertain somewhat This luea oiu NV
spring at all from q desire TO give pleasure W n'
acouaintances, but from the wish TO marry VI. nus
daughters into good society, and SO get rd oi .ho
burden OF supporting them Being OF thriiW anu
trpya, nature he did not propose to waste any money
on these entertainments but determined TO make every
dopar tell Therefore, on the morning OF the day
before the one on which his first dancing party was 70
come off, he stopped the editor OF paper "inch s"'
considerable space to fashionable analrs, "ho'" he
met in the street and knew slightly. After greeuns
him cordially and asking aiter Ills he'i''' "''N '
prosperity, he said: -
CIV the by. we're going to have n dance up at our
house tomorrow night. A lot OF fashionable people
invited, etc. These frivolltes OF social HE coe'
monev INV dear SIR but we have to have them, L
suppose, or we would not be in the swim, ehl"
81 suppose So" replied the editor, with quiet
SMILE Good day. and he passed on
Tomas did not look as If that was the reply he
expected. Next morning he called on the editor
Look here" he said, 81 just dropped In W
say that / hope you did not mlsunderstahd me
yesterday when spoke to you on the street about 'e
ball I'D at our house tonight 1t occurred TO me
afterward that you might think wanted you to men-
ton it in your paper"
"Oh not at ALL said tho editor dryy.
"WelI | was afraid you might. so l thought ia
lust run up here and ask you rot to make q spread
over it,"
The editor promised he would not.
Because think 1t very bad TASTE indeed, for peo-
pie try and force themselves into society through
the newspapers added Jones.
The editor agreed with him cordially.
Although, of course continued Jones. since you
have been so agreeable about IT, don't object to you
having the news. 1t will be what you call scoop
on the other papers, none OF them shall hear OF 1t
but no cuts, you know, anything like that For
don't suppose after ALL that it does any harm to be
mentioned alongside the Nanderhls, the LorilIaras'
etc. Lets people know in modest way that you arc
In it, Ell
at does" assented the editor.
"The social world Is much like the business world
In some respects said Jones. "A man to succeed
in either must keep his name before it, suppose"
Certainly" answered the editor
Now, something like this dare say, would do no
harm" and he handed the editor typewriter sheet
which read as follows: Mr.. James De Courcey Jones,
that popular leader among the 400, gave recherche
entertainment at his palaal residence just off Fifth
ave. last night. The magnifcence of the decorations,
the colness of the collation. and the seectness of the
company have not in our judgment been surpassed By
anything this season."
The editor smiled more broadly than before and
handed to Mr. Jones little card bearing the papers
advertising rates.
Mr. Jones glanced at the carr, cHangpu coior, pIe-
tended not to know what meant, and bowed HIM
self out. Then he went straight to his advertising
agent "Look here" he said grufly "yOu've spent a
GOOD deal of my money The HOwler' see II you
can't get something out Of them for me now II they
won't do me this little favor just let them understand
clearly that my ed In The Buge' will be doubled and
the one In The Howier cancelled altogether I'm
going to have ball at my house tonight, and guess
It's Just as well worth the papers time TO notice 1t as
1t Is TO write up the balls OF people who never advertise
cents WORTH" and he slammed the door he stalhed
cut.
The crafty advertising agent, anxious to please so
good customer went oil to the paper and, carefully
avoiding the editor got In his fine work at the business
end The result that next day there appeared In
the paper the following: -. ID. Jones gave dance
last night at his house In Fifty fOurth-st.'
AS Jones was coming downtown that morning In the
strestter he we1 acco,tsd by old business friend
who exclaimed Hello, Jones, you're getting to be a
social light eh I account OF your ball last
night In The Howler' this morning.
:. What's that, what's thatl exclaimed Jones. The
Howler' meddlng in my affairs Confound its I'm,
pertinence. Why can't q mans private life be LEFT
nvioate In this city How did they get on to the
fact wonder Their indefatigable Industry Is only
equalled by their cold gall. III go down there today
and give that editor piece of my mind. IL there Is
ANYTHING detest, It's having ones name n0lsed ABOUT
in the papers. It's so commOn'