Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-11
SAVED AN "EXCLUSIVE.
How a Reporter Beat the Selfish
Politicians.


Among the men and women who
mako newspapers the word "exclu-
sive" has special Significance, quito
apart from any Of It's ordinary mean
ings.
A newspaper has an exclusive
when IL publishes piece OF news which
its competitors do not contain, and 1t
is proud of its achievement land just
| ly) In proportion as the information so
printed is Of importance to the public
at large.
Thus IL Is that the furnishing Of q
good exclusive" to the journal cm-
ploying him is the highest Joy which a
newspaper writer can know, while IL
is also land necessarily true that there
Is no more profound chagrin possible
for the same person than TO discover
that n rival publication contains an
interesting narrative which he might
fairly have been expected TO gct-but
didn't
A few years ago acted for n leading
metropolitan newspaper MS its corre-
spondent In small but lively city.
had for competitors three bright
young men, each OF whom cared Tor
the interests OF a rival journal. Rival
ry was keen between us; yet IL was
good naturcd, and each held the others
in high personal esteem.
II was nearing the close Of October,
and an exciting state political campaign
was at its height Circumstances com
bincd to render the action Of one of the
party organizations in the little city
already alluded TO Of special impor-
lance throughout the state.
II was known that this action would
take the form OF letter, to be adj
dressed, nominally, to certain promi-
ncnt leader OF "our friends, the enemy"
residing in the same city.
say IL was nominally addressed to
him, because 1t was really intended, as
every body knew, for public perusal.
The evening came when the docu-
ment was 10 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
ticntly until the meeting was over,
when they applied for copy Of the
much desired letter.
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 its correspondent
u copy OF the letter.
Gas for the rest of you, while we
have every regard for you MS individ'
uals, your papers are opposed to our
side of this contest, and you must
mako up your minds to-nhem-go
without"
The fortunate correspondent took
his manuscript, and, with rather pro-
volsing grin, walked out of the build
ing, leaving his three rivals (of whom
! was one) standing disconsolatc in a
corridor.
We well knew that no excuses would
avail to make our peace with our sew
cral employers, for IL is one OF the Pc
culiar things about newspaper work
that no explanation Of IL failure Is ever
considered valid To be "beaten" Il
to be discredited for the time being.
- There seemed to be no hope; tho
three representatives separated sadly
and went their several ways.
On my way home 1t was necessary
for me TO pass the post Office, Just al
, approached II n quick, firm steI
> sounded close behind me.
J turned and saw man with little
! packet in his hand. A gas lamp re
! vealed his features as those of tho
!, chairman of the political committee
Z lie was still smiling and courteous,
! "Ahal" said he, as he held up an Off
i cial-looking envelope. u suppose you'C
be glad enough to have what's inside
r this, but II can't be DONE my youul
; friend. Here goes" and as he spolS,
he dropped It into the lctter-box of tn,
y post Office.
lie had mailed the official copy" o
tho letter 10 the politician to whom, n
already stated, the document was nom
inally addressed
The precious missiye was now II
Uncle Sans" custody Next morning
II would be delivered; then II would b.
at my disposal-but 1t would be to-
late. Before that time ! could read
In the columns of the party organ"
1t seemed q hopeless case, yet
could not bear TO give up. A glance a
eleven o'clock. What was TO he don
must be done quickly.
Not many minutes elapsed before
stout and willing" horse was rattlin
me out Of the business section OF tn
city into quito another quarter Of tn
town Two good miles and more la
between me and my destination.
Through the public square, along tn
main thoroughfare for n space, whist
ing about corner into the broad ~
enue running at right angles, and 81
speeding on, region Of handsom
houses was reached, each with its su
roundings OF well-kept lawns, orni
mental trees, shrubbery, etc
:, With a smart twist the vehicle SWIM
4. into a smooth and winding drivew q.
Issa and in n moment more halts before
y" large, square, handsome residence.
AL Is the home Of the politician TO who
''- the wished-for document now lying
III the post Office Is addressed.
- All is dark 80 tho house has
serted air, and my heart futters q !
d tie at Che thought that II the gent
man is absent my plan will fail at Il
outset