The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-11

The newspaper reporter is compelled to
lace all sorts of persons at the most COM
mon and unusual hours. But this fact of
bis work does not always make the news
Eatherer morose or sullen, in fact it prob
ably gives him such an insight into human
nature that he is in consequence oil more
CHEEKY disposition than many others. Ofthe
trying tasks each reporter gets his share,
but always when in the midst of tough
assignment case he feels his "hard luck"
keenly and most fervently wishes that one
of the other boys had been given it.
A reporter was sitting in the police sta
ton about 1880 o'clock one night few
weeks ago when patrolman called up to
be marked" by the clerk, at the same
time asking if the clerk knew anything
of q suicide on Washington-st., giving the
number. The reporter Immediately
grasped the fact as well as the number
and started to the scene OF the reported
suicide After ten-minute walk he found
himself in front of q three-story brick
building in which was a store bearing the
number he was looking for. The store OF
course was closed, but seeing a stairway at
tho side OF the front door, the reporter
started for it, but the next instant he saw
two men approaching bareheaded and de-
cided TO wait for them. They came, such
as they were. The first was an Italian of
eemi-respectable appearance, while the
second was red mustached young Irish
man whose brain and muscles were pretty
well under the influence of too much beer
and whose blue jeans suit and flannel
shirt were covered with -four. There was
nothing peculiar so far about the two men
except their natiOnalities, but it was GER
tainly singular 10 note that each carried a
pitcher of beer, which he had procured at
O saloon hard bv. 1t was then nearly
three hours after the expiration of lawful
saloon hours.
Naturally thinking that these two in
dividuals knew something about the case,
the reporter said, addressing the Italian,
DO YOU know anything of
suicide here tonight" The answer
was an uniRtelligible one, and
the banana-hued Roman was allowed to
pass ND stairs. To the Irishman. Have
you heard OF a suicide here this evenings"
"Aaw." The reporter was for a minute
almost stupehed at the answer as he knew
he bad the right number. But the lrish-
man continued, ooh, behave OF heard
g couple of wimmin who passed here
while back speaking o. suthin' O. the
kim. 1 'tink il was on \. PIne-strate."
The reporter then hustled to the police
station to call up the city dispensary as
well as the accommodating telephone OPP
orator, and find if his information was
correct. The number might be differ
ent one on the same street or the
same number On Pine-st. But no. ii was
the same number on the same street.
Another walk back 10 the scene of trouble,
and up the stairway went mad reporter.
To knock on the first door there was no
response for few moments but shortly
he Irishman came out with his beer
pitcher. he was again questioned, finally
admitting that there was q suicide at
tempted in the building, but would not
tell in which room. When this informa-
ton was at last gained, the reporter and
the Irishman were on the sidewalk. The
Cell wished 10 rush his growler, so started
away, promising TO return Immediately and
inform the proprietor OF the building of the
reporters presence. He came back in a
lew minutes with his beer, and telling the
reporter to wait for the proprietors
answer. staggered upstairs and disappeared
through the door. The reporter waited
ten minutes. 1t was growing very late to
hand Diece OF news into the Office and
he began 10 grow anxious. When fifteen
minutes had passed he stealthily climbed
10 the top o. the stairway and opened the
hallway door. All was still. "Is Mr.. -
lere?" he almost yelled. a painful silencs
vas his answer, succeeded by the sound
IF door being locked. More silence.
The reporter shuffled his feet and tried to
feel cheerful He also wanted to whistle,
but his lips seemed to be on a strike.
After making considerable noise he
snesked downstairs. The Irishman had
to d him that the policemen on the beat
knew ali about the occurrence and he
started TO find them. He had left his po-
lice whistle ri home. Fifteen more min
utes were lost in tramping around the
neighborhoOd trying to get the police.
lie then started back 10 the police station,
resolving in his write-up OF the thing. if
he got II, 10 roast the people In the block
generally for their treatment
Arriving ut tho station he telephou ed
the dispansary TO learn il they knew the
particulars OF the affair. That they did
was good news to bin. but that The
SENTINEL Office did also, was sad tidings,
as bis prospective roast was thus dis
PEELED. But il added 20 his experience.
He had practically wasted two hours
time and walked about three miles, all
through his necessary anxiety 10 get the
item which he had hoped would be worth
some space" at any rate. The item
proved 10 be worth four lines, being the
futile aud probably not very determined
effort OF woman to end her earthly ex-
istcnee. The breath, patience, worry and
shoe leather were al for naught.