Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-01-22
REPORTORIAL EXPERIENCES.
OF the Hard Laek On which the
the Man After News often Feasrs-
Chasing Down Rumors.

Chasing Down Rumors.
Inc local editor of the Keokuk Consti-
tuston- Democrat has been whiting IN q
feportoriai experience which is not I'm
usual to the man whose life b as been de,
Vo'eo TO any considerable degree TO the
investigation and proper recording OF
current events. 1t is not much of ro-
nance either, aud here it is:
PEOPLE who read the news of the day
seldom have occasion to think OF the en-
ergy, physical, and mental. expended in
getting the news before il appears in its
published shape. The experience writ
Ten oy himself of q reporter while WORK
Ing up story" will show some of the
things encountered in that work. The
reported facts in thu case of this peculiar
item IS they reached the Office were of
sucn nature that reporter. after hav>
Ing been given them, was placed on the Case
with Instructions to thoroughly investi-
gate II. which instructions meant that he
was to know all about it before he show
ed up again at the Office. He was soon
IN the vicinity of the scene of what was
said to be the shooting of colored min
lister of the gospel.
In the vicinity in this case meant out
In the country just beyond the limits OF
tie city. Livery stables do not abound
In the neighborhood. so the reporter
walked, which is usually the case. Con.
suitlng chart, he started, his umbrella
under his arm, for it had raIned, and
threatened TO do it again. The board
sidewalks, last reminders of the CITY,
soon gave out, and, bearing in mind the
good Old gospel hymn, the reporter kept
In the middle of the road At last halt
was called, and promptly obeyeG. The
confines of his chart had been reached,
and still the ''corn6sld. reported to be
the scene of the shooting, had not been
found. Entering farm yard an inouirg
was made for John Smiths house.
Il shows i'm to you" said the farmer
The reporters spirits arose.
You see dot trees,"
The reporter saw cump of trees
about two miles up the valley, on an ele
walton.
Vel. dot is Schons house. Ven you
watch close, you saw de end stricken
out. 1t vas a little vet 20 go nit de felt
Down init dis rost you gone and by Elm.
odder roat. You took de fairst roat be-
fore you CONT NIT dot. 1t priugs you
putty close by Schon's blaze "
The reporter thanked the FARMER very
heartily. He descended into a hollow.
and failed to locate the house among the
trees, when he assembled The next hill. He
kept on IN the road, however, until the
lane ended in a meadow He crossed the
meadow and corn field certain he would
see his house from the other side, but he
didn't. Another mile was travelled. and
then entering another farm yard gate, he
asked for John Smiths house.
Ihis time woman answered him
She had Just lifted bicycle down the
front steps of the farm house
No indeed; John Smith don't live
here. That's his corn field, though" said
she. pointing to one through which the
reporter had just pass. d You'll! find
his house over on the other site of the
hill among those huts"
The women then mounted the bicycle
and proceeded to ride around the farm
yard. The reporter uttered some more
thanks oud retIaced his steps through the
corn field. As he reached the her side
OF the field, he came upon woman milk
ing COW. Whether it was the reporters
sudden appearance upon the quiet scene,
or more than usual PRESSURE, by the
energetic farm woman will never be
known, but. at any rate, the cow gave a
sudden jump, upsetting the pail of milk.
The cows sudden change of location
did not, however. take her beyond the
reach of the farm woman's foot, which
instantly landed with q resounding
thump, upon the lower portion of the
cows anatomy. A piece of fence rail
lying close by. was also brought into re-
QUESTION, to emphasize the farm woman's
dlspleasUre al the unmanneriy antics of
the COW.
Then for the first time, tie woman saw
the reporter, and voice issued from un.
der the sun bonnet. The reporter ap
preached the fence and leaning over i:
just as they do in novels. he lifted his hat.
The young woman came towards him
slowly. loosening her skirts. which, dur
ing the walking, had teen gathered ND
and pinned behind her, also in d novel
fashion.
The young woman proved to be the
daughter of the man who was supposed
to have shot the midnight marauder OF
course. it was all a mistake. The story
Was not true.
my pap didn't have no g n in his hand
fer four months. The rostin ears hez
been stolen, and we 'spect. somebody.
but pap hain't shot him yet"
well, hope Asdsme, that you will
pardon me for coming out here eight
miles, on rainy day, just to scare your
cow and have her kick over the pail -
"Ohi lawi it don't make no particular
difference bout the milk. Bet ALWAYS
Was q mean COW I'll tie har hind lnnn