Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-05-06
Uatterson's First Take.


here says the New York Star he told
story about his experience in Cincinnati:
Il arrived in Cincinnati one clustering
winter night" he said. 81 was ragged.
hungry stranger, just oul Of the Conieder-
ate army had just enough money TO
pay for a nights lodging. How we'll
remember wandering about the streets OF
the city, wondering what the next day
would bring me- believed had abili-
ty as a journalist, and was satisfied that
if had opportunity | could prove it.
was in the act several times of entering
the different morning newspaper offices
and applying for work, but / was so
down-hearted that | did not have the
courage to do so. | took good sleep
that night, and did not get up until late
next day.
My case was desperate one, and
felt that must secure employment. /
never felt more determined in my life. |
felt as if | would face without a quiver
the siernest editor in the land. In thi,
frame of mind started out to make
tour of the different offices.R
AT the first office the editor,SinFa a
blunt way, told%ie that his staff was
crowded, and then resumed his work. |
visited all ihe newspapers with the sans
result, except the Timcs. That paper had
a large job printing office attached to it,
which did great deal of theatrical print
ing also noticed that the paper had a
miserably written dramatic column. /
called on Col. Starbuck, the Editor and
proprietor, and asked if there were any
vacancies on his staff.
"'There are never any vacancies on q
good newspaper, but there is always room
for Il good man, said the colonel.
shall never forget that reply, and it is one
ihat | have always made to applicants on
the Courier.Jomnal. / told Col. Star
buck that | could improve upon his drs-
matte column, and proposed to write it for
nothing if he would give me % per cent.
commission on all the printing and adj
vertisements secured from the theatres.
He declined the proposition. As | was
about to leave he said he would give me
SD a week to preform that service.
What Il change came over me. | imme-
diately found myself rich. told him 1
would accept it. He told me that I
must not feel offended if at the end Of tho
week he found | did not suit. knew
would suit | for knew the full extent of my.
abilities, and | told him if | wa, not
competent, | should consider it an oiense
if he did not discharge me.
"This was the first of the week, and l
started in that day. Ecyer undcrtooks
task with more enthusiasm. attended
the theatres every night. Before the end
Of the week Col. Starbuck expressed his
approval On Saturday afternoon went
to the theatres to collect the money for
printing and advertising due the Times.
At the National Theatre, after collecting
the money, was handed an envelope adj
dressed to me. Supposing it contained
an item of news or ticket, put it in
my pocket unopened. At Pixies another
envelope bearing my name was presented
to me, and the same thing occurred al
Woods Theatre. When returned to
the Office | opened the envelopes and
found that those presented to me at the
National and at Pixies each contained
SO. The one received at Woods con-
tained 50. ] rendered him the money.
he said that it did not belong to him, and
he would not accept it. ] said it certain
ly did not belong to me, and that would
not accept it. returned the donation 10
the theatrical managers. They said tho
money had been given in consideration
of the favorable notices had given their
performances.
Colonel Starbuck short time after
wards made me managing editor"