The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-04-20
SAVED AN "EXCLUSIVE."
How a Reporter Beat the Selfish
Politicians.

4Hhhc usWSl)dfWIS INC worn cAclu-
sive" has n special significance, quito
apart from any of its ordinary mean
ings.
A newspaper has an exclusive
when it publishes piece of news which
its competitors do not contain, and it
as proud of its achievement land just
ily) in proportion as the information so
printed is of importance to the public
lat large.
Thus it is that the furnishing of u
good exclusive" to the journal en-
ploying him is the highest JOY which a
newspaper writer can know, while it
is also (and necessarily true that there
is no more profound chagrin possible
for the same person than to discover
that rival publication contains an
interesting narrative which he might
fairly have been expected to get-but
didn't
A few years ago l acted for a leading
metropolitan newspaper as its CORE
spondcnt in small but lively city.
l had for competitors three bright
young men, each of whom cared for
the interests of rival journal Rival
ny was keen between us; yet it was
good natured. and each held the others
in high personal esteem.
1t was nearing the close of October,
and an exciting state political campaign
was at its height Circumstances COM
ibined to render the action of one of the
party organizations in the little city
ialready alluded to Of special impor-
aancc throughout the state.
1t was known that this action would
take the form of q letter, to be adj
dressed nominally, to q certain promi-
nent leader of our friends, the enemy"
residing in the same city.
l say it was nominally addressed to
him, because it was really intended, as
everybody knew, for public perusal.
The evening came when the docu-
ment was to be prepared. The gentle
men comprising the political commit
tee held somewhat lengthy session.
of course with closed doors. The four
newspaper correspondents waited pa
tiently until the meeting was over,
when they applied for a copy of the
much desired letter.
The chairman of the committee was
politencss Sitself, so far as his manner
was concerned, but this is what he
Baid
"We have decided in this matter to
reward the good work done by our
party paper by giving its correspondent
a copy of the letter
''As for the rest of you, while we
have every regard for you as individ-
uals, your papers are opposed to our
side of this contest, and you must
make up your minds to-ahem-go
without"
The fortunate correspondent took
his manuscript and, with rather pro-
volIing grin, walked out of the build.
ing, leaving his three rivals iof whom
1 was one) standing disconsolate in
corridor.
We we'll knew that no excuses would
avail to make our peace with our sew
eral employers, for it is one of the pc
culiar things about newspaper work
that no explanation of a failure is ever
considered valid. To be beaten" is
to be discrcdited for the time being.
There seemed to be no hope; the
three representatives separated sadly
and went their several ways.
On my way home it was necessary
for me to pass the post Office. Just as
sounded close behind me.
turned and saw man with little
packet in his hand. A gas lamp re-
vealed his features as those of the
chairman of the political committee.
He was still smiling and courteous.
Aha" said he, as he held up an Off
cial-looking envelope. Il suppose you'd
be glad enough to have what's inside
this, but it can't be done, my young
friend. Here goes" and as he spoke
he dropped it into the letter-boX of the
post Office.
He had mailed the Official copy" of
the letter to the politician to whom, as
already stated, the document was NOM
inally addressed.
The precious missivc was now in
"Unclc Sans" custody. Next morning
it would be delivered; then it would be
at my disposal-but it would be too
late, Before that time | could read it
IN the columns of the party organ"
1t seemed a hopeless case, yet l
could not bear to give up. A glance at
my watch showed that it was nearly
eleven o'clock. What was To be done
must be done quickly.
Not RAINY minutes elapsed before q
stout and willing" horse was rafting
me ont of the business section of the
city into quite another quarter OF the
town Two good miles and more lay
between me and my destination.
Through the public square, along the
mai6 thoroughfare for a space, whisS-
ing about a corner into the broad av-
enue running at right angles, and so,
speeding on, region of handsome
houses was reached, each with its sur
roundings of we.lkept lawns, orna-
mental trees shrubbo:y, etc.
With a smart twist the vehicle swings
1nto smooth and winding driveway,