Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-08-03

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 il
is proud of its achievement land just.
ly) in proportion as the information SO
printed is of Importance to the public
at large.
Thus it is that the furnishing of a
good exclusive" to the journal en-
ploying him is the highest JOY which a
newspaper writer can know, while it
h is also land necessarily true that there
is no more profound chagrin possible
\ for the same person than to discover
y that a rival publication contains an
interesting narrative which he might
fairly have been expected to get-but
didn't.
A few years ago acted for leading
metropolitan newspaper as its corre-
spondent in a small but lively city
had for competitors three bright
young men, each of whom cared for
the interests of rival journal Rival
ry 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
bined to render the action of one of the
party organizations in the little city
already alluded to of special impor-
tance throughout the state.
1t was known that this action would
take the form of a letter. to be adj
dressed, nominally, to a certain promi-
nent leader of ''our friends, the enemy.
residing in the same city.
say it was nominally addressed to
him, because it was really intended. as
every body knew, for public perusal.
The evening came when the docu-
ment was to be prepared. The gentle
men comprising the political commit
tee held a 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
politeness itself, so far as his manner
was concerned, but thus is what he
said:
"We have decided in this matter to
reward the good work done by our
party paper by giving its correspondent
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
Al.
make up your minds to-ahem-go
without"
The fortunate correspondent took
his manuscript, and, with rather pro-
voking grin, walked out of the build
ing, leaving his three rivals (of whom
was one) standing disconsolate in a
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 failure is ever
considered valid. To be "beaten" is
to be discredited 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
approached it a quick. firm step
sounded close behind me.
turned and saw man with a little
packet in his hand. A gas lamp re-
vealed his features as those of the
chairman of the political committee.
lie was still smiling and courteous.
"Ahaw said he. as he held up an Off
cial-looking envelope. II 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 cfsice.
lie had mailed the ''official COPY of
the letter to the politician to whom. as
already stated, the document was nom
inally addressed
The precious miSsive was now in
Uncle Sans" custody. Next morning
it would be delivered; then it would be
at nv disposal-but it would be too
late. Before that time ! could read IL
in the columns of the party organ"
1t seemed a hopeless case. yet
could not bear to give UP. a glance at
my watch showed that it was nearly
eleven o'clock What was 10 be done
must be done quickly.
Not many 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
main thoroughfare for a space. whis.s-
ing about a corner into the broad AZ
euue running at right angles. and 81
speeding on. a region Of handsome
houses was reached. each with its sur
rouDdings Of well-kept lawns. orna-
mental trees. shrubbery, etc.
Vita a smart twist the vehicle swings
into smooth and winding driveway