The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-05-16
SAVED AN EXCLUSIVE"
How a Reporter Beat the Selfish
Politicians.

Among the men and women whc
make newspapers the word ''exclu
sive" has a special significance, quite
apart from any of its ordinary mean
ings.
A newspaper has an exclusive
when it publishes 4 piece Ofnews which
its onpetitors DO not contain, and il
is proud Of its achievement land just
ly) in proportion as the information SC
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 car know, while it
is also land 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
4 few years ago I acted for leading
metropolitan newspaper as it's corre-
spondent in a small.but lively city.
/ had for competitors three bright
/ young men, each OF whom cared for
/ the interests of a rival journal. Rival
~ 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
It was known that this action would
take the form of letter, to be ad-
dressed, nominally, to "a certain promi-
nent leader of ''our friends the enemy"
residing in the same city.
/ say it was noninally 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 tins is what he
said:
1--WE have decided in this matter to
reward the good work done by our
party paper by giving gits,correspondent
copy Of the letter,
&c ha of
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-
voking grin, walked out of the build.
ing, leaving his three rivals iof whom
/ was one) standing disconsolate in a
corridor.
We well knew that no excuses would
eral employers for it is one of the Pc
cullar things about newspaper work
that no explanation of a 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 If 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 little
packet in his hand. A gas lamp re-
veaied his features as those of the
chairman of the political committee.
lie was still smiling and courteous.
AHA" said he, as he held up an Off
cial-looking envelope. Il suppose you'd
be glad enough 10 have what's inside
this, but it can't be done, my young !
friend. Here goes" and as he spoke
be 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.
Inc precious miSsive was now in
Uncle Sans" custody. Next morning I
It would be delivered; then it would be c
1t my disposal-but it would be too
ate. Before that time | could read it c
N the columns OF the party organ"
1t seemed hopeless case. vet I $
,ould not bear to give up. a glance at |
NY watch showed that it was nearly
eleven o'clock. What was 10 he done :
must be done quickly. I
Not many minutes elapsed before a I
stout and willing" horse was rattling :
ne out Of the business section OF the
'lty into quite another quarter of the
own. Two good miles and more Law
between me and NY destination.
Through the public square, along the j.
main thorouChfare for 4 space, whisk- :
pg about a corner into the broad av-
'nue running at right angles. and so,
peediaC ou, region of handsome 7
houses was reached, each with It's sur
OF well-kePt lawns, o-aa- :
mental trees, ShrGbbery, etc
with smart twist the vehicle swings
nto so1co:h and winding driveway,
nd in q moment more halts before = $
irge, square, handsome residence. Il D
5 the horne OF the politician TO yvho.n
.'e wlshed-ior document now lying IN o
he post Office IS addressed. T
All i dark = the house has n de- u
erted air. and my heart futters lit d
e at the thought that II the gentle !,
Ian is absent nv plan VIII fail al the
utSet
Apuil at the bell l;,oh 70 response - =,
pause Another pull; this time a ;.
igorous one. 4 noise as ot stir J.
-ithin comes family % the carer ear )