Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
IA LUCKY BURGLARY

'I.would rather be a newspaper
reporter than do any other work,
uncle"
"You are sure that you would pre-
Ter 1T to clerkship in the bank?"
Eyes, SIR"
"Very we'll, il you are fixed in your
purpose, Edward, don see what
there is to prevent YOU from succeed
ing in that work. But first, of
course, you must get situation.
II shall visit the newspaper offices
to-day for that purpose"
II hope that you may succeed. nv
boy, and l will do all that l can to
help you forward"
kind" way
The above conversation was held
on the morning of Edward Maxwell,s
seventeenth birthday, in the library
OF his uncle. James Maxwell, Presi-
dent OF the Banking House of Max.
WELL, Gass Il Co., one of the sub.
stantial business establishments of
Chicago.
Two months before. through the
death OF his father, Edward had be-
come an orphan. Edwards father
had been hard-worklng farmer, and
when he died he left but little of this
worlds goods to his son and only
child. Edwards uncle took friendly
interest in his nephew and when he
was graduated from the Academy of
Grahamstown, he insisted upon his
becoming a member Of his family.
Mr.. Maxwell offered to give Edward
a college education, but the boy had
a strong desire to become self-sup-
porting and he declined his uncle's
offer. Mr.. Maxwell's next PROPOSE
ton was that Edward accept a clerk
ship in the bank. Edward had long
entertained the thought that he
should like journalistic work and he
finally told his uncle that he preferred
it to clerical work in the bank.
He was bright, active boy, pos
sessing practical education and en-
joying perfect health and besides he
had strong determination to win.
When, short time after his uncle
left him in the library, Edward set
out upon his search among the news
paper offices for situation, he had
but little doubt that he would easily
secure one. The result OF the days
work almost crushed his naturally
hopeful spirit. He visited good
many offices and from each ono he
was dismissed with the assurance that
his inexperience was against him.
The editors said that newspaper
work of to-day was not what it was
ten years ago. Then. any man who
could write pretty fair English and
was willing to obey orders was we'll
enough equipped to enter the profess
sion. Now, the competition between
tor public patronage had
become so keen and the desire for ex-
elusive news grown so strong, that
only those men who were experienced
in news gathering, who could readily
judge the Importance of a news item,
and who were capable of following up
a clew to piece of news with all the
stealth and strategy of a born detect
i've, were desirable or at all reliable,
and OF such men there were a good
many in the field.
Its hard work, young man." said
one white-haired editor, kindly. It's
the hardest kind of work. You'd bet
ter take my advice and keep out of
the business. 1t is much easier to
win success in some other direction.
His advice strengthened Edwards
determination to succeed in what he
had undertaken and he continued his
quest. The last Office he visited was
that of the Morning Chronicle. 1t
was late in the afternoon and when
entered the managing ed
TORS room he found that gentleman
busily engaged in examining a pile
Of manuscript. He proved to be a
person of friendly disposition and
manDer.
Edward made known tho object of
his visit.
"You want to be a reporter, eh?"
inquired the man, cycling the boy
you've got the physique
ana, judging from your face, the
brains for the work, but have you
The experience?"
Edward replied that he had had no
"There are a. good MANY bright
young men in the profession, young
man." said the managing editor,
''but there is room for more and if
you will, somehow, prove your fit
ness for the work, I don't hesitate to
say that the Chronicle will furnish
you with employment. Bring us a
piece Of legitimate news, something
that has required shrewd-
,ess and energy to ferret out, and we
will pay you for it,"
Edward walked toward his uncle's