Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-02-10
THE ASSISTANT.
a. Plucky Girl and Her Life
Work.

only the assistant 1he edltor mas gone
to the depot Won't you sit DOWN.
She rose and placed 4 box for his
seat. The only chair in the room was
4 revolving one screwed to the floor be-
side the desk.
The farmer had come through 2 sad
dler's shop to mount to the Office The
publishing room was divided from this
by a temporary partition OF pine boards
He sat do-a with lis hat on and
looked curiously around. Leaving his
mud-spattered person out OF considera-
tion. it was place Of oddities and be-
ginnings, rough plastered, and contain
ing but two windows, which looked
north over the black street, the rapidly
springing wooden houses. the vanish
ing railroad and prairie. Some wood
cuts were pasted on the wall A fancy
paper-weight was among the files on
the desk. 4 bench, pushed out at the
end. as if its occupant had just left it,
stood before table that depended for
one corners support on barrel 1t
was the exchange barrel.
"Well, | come to subscribe for the
paper" said the farmer. after she had
addressed several envelopes, talking to
him about the weather as she did so.
My brother viii be glad to have
your name, F." said the assistant How
shall l write it?''
"Isr'l Bonebrake's my name" said
the farmer, going deep into his trous-
ers and bringing up ragged pocket
book which, being opened, disclosed
,& 20
amount?''
cone dollar year, fifty cents for
six months, or twenty-five cents for
three months, payable in advance"
You don't ask enough" remarked
Mr. Bonebrake, coming forward to lay
down his dollar. Two dollars is the
fgger for county papers. You folks
has started up with the town. You
must make it pay"
''Oh, we SHALL" replied the assistant.
"My brothers will advance the price
as they improve the paper"
"How many air ther' of you?'
my two brothers and myself. One
attends to the publishing and adver-
tising; the other edits I assist We've
heard of you, Mr.. Bonebrake-yOu
own some stock farms about here?"
Yes replied the farmer, non
chalantly. Il got a couple o thou
sand acres or so west o. the place. The
place is CROWN, isn't it?''
Wonderfully. 1 think it's bound to
be grain and stock center"
Now you talk!' said the farmer with
enthusiasm. ''Why, when L came here
twenty years ago, 'twa'n't nothing but
perrara far as the eye could see. We've
planted hedges, and groves has growed
up. And six months ago the two rail-
roads struck US and crossed, and here's
the towni l killed rattlesnal1es where
Powell's putin up his ELEVATOR. Wen
be CITY,"
Its only question OF time" said
the girl.
$50 you young folks come on here
and started paper. Had you ever run
paper before?"
My brothers are practical printers.
l have learned to do great many
things
II bet you have" said the farmer,
with approval. 81 like smart wimmen.
Some folks doesn't; but do
''Oh, just help my brothers. II the
paper succand~ VOW rrust e-edie- it 80
them In the course of a year they
hope to get large press, and keep the
hand-presses only for jobbing. They
will have to be very close and careful,
but, if they make good paper, 1 know
the people will stand by them"
''They will that" said Mr.. Bone
brake. "They won't lose for startin'
in when the towns young"
Steps on the saddler's stairs now
brought young fellow into the room
who threw his hat with slam at the
table and cried out:
Il never saw such an abominabie
place as this ISL
The assistant gave him swift, salu-
tary glance.
''Mr. Bonebrake," she said, ''this is
the editor Mr.. Pink Bradshaw. One
of our new subscribers, Pink"
well, declare" said he, you dom
look nothin' but boy!"
isn't your other brother no older?'
inquired Mr.. Bone ebrake of the assis-
tant.
Younger"
1--WE try to make up in pluck what
we lack in years." said Pink. But
But we're open to suggestions from
old residents" said the assistant
well l sejest keep on" said Mr..
Bonebrake. Just you keep ahead"
MY brother has been thinking OF
visiting you and some other prominent
stockmen," said the assistant, ito gel
an article about your methods"
''All right; come ahead! Well kill q
chicken and give you bite to eat"
The farmer went smiling downstairs,
and the editors assistant fixed her clear
eyes on her brother.
Il don't careI' he said, sitting dowr
at his table and striking it with hi:
hand. You can fix it up with the ole
moss-backs, first-rate, but this is n cor
ner of the earth l cannot endure"
$50 you thought you could tread OF
his local pride and not get hurt in re
turn?"
II didn't see him when l first came
in The mud! Just look at the mud
sticking to my feet!'
He showed the black, waxy soil. He
was a sensitive-looking, delicate-faceC
young fellow, fair, blue-eyed, yet with
much reserve force apparent abou
him.
THE wind rasps my very soull''
did you gather any items?" in
quired the assistant, calmly, having
drawn leaf forward and taken up hel
pencil to make a local of Mr.. Bone
brakes visit.
''Yes. my dear, did. There's MAJ
just got off the north train to prospect
this place for the purpose of starting
another paper. He has money.
talked with him, or he talked to me
He goes right to the point"
That's what made the mud and The
wind and the place SO uncomfortable,
said India well, let n i'm start it."
And run us out in two monthsT'
''He won't run us ont"
India rose and approached hel
brother. Her face was lambent, as il
she were the spirit of fire.
''Pink Bradshaw, didn't we make VI
our minds to locate here and take al
the consequences"
Yes"
"Am not your oldest sister,"
"Yes"
Didn't educate myself and man,
age TO get you boys places and give
you something Of chance for your
selves?'
''Yes, my dear, you did"
Did you ever know me to fail in
anything undertook"
Never"