The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-08-27
A GREAT SCOOP"
How q Story Was Told Before It's
Occurrence.

How a Story Was Told Before It's
Occurrence.
Some years ago while was employed
rs reporter for leading New York
daily paper, the rather curious incident
herein recounted came 10 pass but that
was so long since 1t Is doubtful il any
of the readers of this journal remem-
Der its occurrence or the widespread
ripple of comment thereby created 1t
the time.
Within the Office of the newspaper
alluded to. as in similar places every
where, pleasant countenances and
smiles not infrequently concealed feel
some fancied unkind discrimination, and
occasionally pent-up jealousies gave way
to bursts of anger and torrents Of vigor-
Gus though unpublished language. Some
thing Of this sort, have long since con-
cluded, Mutually led to the tiff between
Angelo Romeri, talented though vim
dicive young Italian and myself.
Romeri had been doing criminal as
signments, kind of work In which he
may be said to have fairly reveled, but
his style or manner of writing up trials.
ETC., provoked unfavorable criticism
and rendered the young man unpopular;
whereupon tho city editor transferred
him to another department., and gave
the criminal work to me. Romeri and
had been the best of friends, but d.
rectly the italian was removed from his
favorfte pursuit and detailed to look
after marine intelligence, q subject
which wearied him, he became taciturn
and positively ''offish" in his behavior
toward me.
At the period Of which am speaking
New York city was agog over the OK
&ravagances and designations of one of
those wealthy profigates nearly always
to be found spreading their butterfly
wings in that metropolis, creating q
great talk for brief season, and then
snuffing out like . candle. His real
name, If given, would be likely to strike
the reader Familiarity, but shall desig-
nate hin simply as Mr.. Bascom. The
name have selected has the ring of a
novelist's character. instead of being
that OF real person, but ! shall let 1t
go at that.
Mr.. Bascom was, as have intimated,
travelling the road Of life at wonder
fully rapid pace. Possessing, as he did,
what us young fellows called "slathers"
of money. which alone was sufficient to
have made him famous in any commu-
nifty, he had, in addition thereto. q good
education, ready wit and graceful,
dignified bearing, q combination which.
despite his frequent and wild debauches,
gave him prominence in Gotham's social
spheres. Half q dozen aristocratic
clubs felt honored in having his name
enrolled on their books. Many were
the swell receptions and balls given in
those days at his palatial home opposite
the Palisades, and overlooking the
broad, picturesque Hudson, near larry
town. Nothing bounded his hospital
ity, and an accomplished wife, aided by
o score OF select and well-drilled serv-
ants, contributed to make his home
the abode of perennial enjoyment Bas-
com himself. however, spent by far the
greater portion of his time in the soci-
ETY. Of gamblers and their side partners
IN the city. carousing constantly, 50
that no special gift of prescience was
needed to foresee that his career inev-
itably must end in sudden death or in
sanity.
II was on certain bright juno morn
ing succeeding . tempestuous night that
sat reading daily paper on one Of
New York's big ferry boats coming up
the bay from Staten Islsud, when two
men came and took seats near mine.
They were talking about vessel that
was reported aground of Sandy Hook.
made note Of the substance of their
conversation, and upon reaching the
Office naturally mentioned what I had
overheard. The word was passed
around till IL reached che ears Of Rom
eri, whereupon that gentleman posted
on TO the telegraph Office for informa-
ton, only TO find out in the course of an
hour that the rumor was totally lacking
in foundation. Afterwards he vowed it
was trick instituted by myself with
view TO- causing him unnecessary
trouble, though was innocent of in
tentionally unloading him.
Some months elapsed and the vessel
episode had been forgotten, when duty
again called me out Of town. For the
purpose Of obtaining the confession of
a notorious seoundrsl had been sent
to Sing Sing prison. but my errand to
that delightfully."- situated ''stone Jug"
had proven dat failure. As / was re-
turning to tho Office late at night to
make my report the train on reaching
Tarrytown at 1850 o'clock made only q
brief stop. because we were running
six or eight minutes behind schedule
time, but the pause was sufficient to
allow q stout, pleasant-faced gentle
man to get aboard. The newcomer
entered the coach occupied by myself
and couple Of dozen sleepy heads,
and, perceiving that I was about the
only person awake, he came and sat in
the chair adjoiuing mine. The gentle
man struck me - being man Of force
and character, and a. we soon became
engaged in conversation found him TO
be above the average in intelligence.
Soon We were friendly. and rs the train
sped along my companion grew quite
communicative. For some reason or
another our talk turned upon the
frivolitics Of the day. and the gentle
man drew long breath as he re-
marked that virtue was its own re-
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