The herald., 1894-05-20
A BIT OF NEWS.

CHANGER
mo. But I know you couldn't.
dare say you've been counting on doing
this, eh?" The younger man bowed
"And have been laying in stock of
flowing rhetoric and fine spun theories, :"
the elder continued. ''Humph The
Times wouldn't pay in months time
If we fed the public on stuff of that sort
What it wants is food of another kind I"
whats to prevent my providing it
as well as the other writers on the staff?
Is my college education to be draw
back to me? If it isl
The sentence was left unfinished, and
the elder man silently returned to his
work of glancing over some copy spread
on the desk before him. When he had
finished the last page, he turned to the
first and wrote I'm. g." across the top.
"What does that mean?" George
Stanton inquired.
''Those letters stand for must go. I"
"Then whatever bears them goes?"
His uncle surveyed, him with grim
smile lighting his face.
''It's apt TO-, he said dryly.
''Then anything might write would
be printed, regardless of its merit, if
you so marked it,"
Certainly. But you must remember
that an uncle indulgent to faults and
the proprietor of this paper-a successful
business enterprise -a are two distinct
personalities -
(Which you bear. l understand. But
surely literary merit cuts some figure?"
''Um-if the name of the writer who
possesses it is well known, it does. -
mot otherwise?"
The elder man shook his head en-
phatically. Give no use for 'em. "
"Why, that makes out the newspaper
of today money making machine OF
the lowest ORDER" George Stanton ex-
claimed Indignantly. 1.-The brains of
the concern are subservient to the bust
ness Office.
Exactly"
There was a pause, during which the
younger man tipped back his chair
against the wall and gazed abstractedly
at the ceiling At length he brought the
legs of the chair to the floor with en-
phasis.
81 still maintain that it isn't fair
that shouldn't be given trial, " he
remarked.
81 suppose you've got a batch of
manuscripts all ready to fire at me. "
The nephews face flushed. 81 thought
so. Well, don't want 'em. Now, see
here. What this paper wants isn't rhet-
oric, it isn't eloquence, it isn't philoso-
ply, it isn't literary merit, as you call
it. It's just life-plain, everyday life.
I wouldn't publish the most beautiful
flight of fancy that was ever written.
I've no use for that sort. But life
things near, local, personal-give me
those. If you keep your eyes and ears
open, you'll find more tragedy in one
block of San Francisco than in the whole
of Shakespeare. ?"
"Then you give me the chance?"
Frederick Stanton hesitated. "It's
open to you the same as it is to all, - he
replied indifferently. ''You would be
paid for space work at our regular rates,
providing we accepted it. Mind you, l
don't say I'll take what you write. .
''But if it suits you'll m. g. it?"
''If it SUITS the other repeated a
little sarcastically, with movement
which closed the interview
A week later the young man again
presented himself in his uncle's private
Office.
I've followed your advice, Uncle
Fred, and taken life for my subject.
He threw himself into chair and gave
twist to his head in the direction of
the inner door. 1t was slightly ajar, and
he rose and shut it before he resumed.
''You see, what you said about the
tragedies of life and of course l inferred
that you meant the comedies as well,
being right under our noses, as it
were, set me to thinking. Meantime
have found out the true meaning of your
mystic letters. Whatever bears them
must go in the columns of the next is
sue, regardless Of time, space or other
consideration. They are so potent as to
require no explanation, no suggestion
from the molders of public opinion who
preside in the editorial den. Whatever
an editor may receive from proprietor
initiated IA. G. will be printed, even if
it be the death warrant of the entire
staff. -
SIS this lecture on the depravity of
the press in general, or my own paper
in Particular"
Neither. 1t is to let you know that
have been further enlightened since we
last discussed this subject. I now I'M
derstand what exists as mighty factor
in the management of newspaper, and
want you to put it on the top of that "
He tossed some sheets of closely written
paper ON the desk in front of the other
"Humphn'
If listen 1 may gather the very
material he wants, / said. l listened
Eureka! flatter myself that I've got
something spicy and realistic enough to
suit even you''
81 told you that if you wrote any
thing fit to set up type for it would be
judged impartially and paid for at the
regular rates. ="
1t isn't the pay so much" George
Stanton replied contemptuously.
WANT to see yourself in print, sup
pose. Well, let's see what you've pre-