The herald., 1894-01-01
AN ADVISORY INCIDENT.


which were prominent not to say bulg
ing and bright blue in color, fixed Of
the city editor, who was softly swearing
to himself as be waded through mas
of copy.
1t wac just after assignment" hou
and the sutocrat OF the local room sup
posed he was alone, go quietly had th'
ditfident youth entered the room. II,
moved around little and offered I
deprecatory cough, but the only RESPONSE
ne got was vicious jab OF the blue pen
Gil across page of ''stuf," or thu
sound of muttered oath that caused
him moral shiver.
II beg your pardon, but could 1 speak
to you mOment?" at last he ventured.
The EDITORS chair swung around with
a violent squeak.
What in Hades do you want?" was
his greeting.
Il want to learn the newspaper busi-
ness," ne deferentially answered.
Treherne looked him up and down, saw
bis apologetic face, his weak, cutoff
chin, those rabbit-llke eyes, and turned
to his work again with grunt, saying,
"Staff's full. You wouldn't do, any
way"
The youths face flushed and his pref
ty little mouth twitched suspicously ;
but he Strengthened up and replied:
Pm sorry spoke to you, sir. sup
posed that l would receive some little
courtesy. Good day." and he turned
toward the door.
Treherne's chair swung around again
with it's same violent squeak. The re-
proof had touched him. He threw down
his blue pencil, ran his hand through
his hair, and gazed curiously at the boy.
YOU'RE right, youngster," he re-
piled. "Now I'll talk to you if yoa'll
talk quick, and see what 1 can do for
you. What's your nsms?"
John Grober."
"Any education? How old are you ?''
''I've just graduated from the high
school. Pm eighteen"
why do you want to become news
paper man?"
why, think I'd like it. My teachers
say | wrote very nice competitions"
Are you poor ?"
mo, sir. My father is J. J. Grober,
the grocer"
"Whatl Why, he's supposed to be a
millionaire"
Yes, be is rich, believe.'
"Does he approve of your ambition ?"
NO, sir. He wants me to go into his
store. He did not Know / WAS going 10
see you. He don't care for books and
poetry and art. BuS do and read all
L can. But if father knew about this he
would raise row."
Treherne hesitated. The boy had some
OF the artistic temperament about him
evidently, and proper ambition, but
this advice was more of q responsibility
than he liked. He was used to making
quick decisions. however.
u know something about newspaper
work." he answered, ''and something
about the world, but 1 don't want to
waste any time; il you will faithfully
promise to take my advice I'll go ahead,
otherwise you had better go to some
other paper"
The boy hesitated a moment. On
his face appeared an expression of com
mercial caution, the seal put upon him
by previous generations OF bargain driv-
ers. All right" he said looking at
Treherne, "I'll do whatever you say"
well, my boy, you go home to your
father. and tell him you're ready TO
take that place in his store.
a man has to do for it's own sake. Ii
you're reader, you may have heard of
the phrase, art for arts sake. Yes?
Well, there's nothing to that; but on
newspaper man works for works sake.
He gets little money; his feelings are
hardened, his sensibilities are deadened, !
he sometimes gets a word OF praise, and /
often curse or a sneer. When he eets |
old he has to live on his friends or Clip |
exchanges. As rule bricklayer gets
more out of life. You go to work selling
tea and eugar, and in time you can buy |
newspaper and play that you're an
editor. Most people will believe you
are and you may yourself, but you stick
to that grocery store, and never show
your nose in newspaper Office until |
you inherit your dads dollars. Good |
bye."
The chair gave its squeak and swung
around to the desk. The clue pencil
recommended its jabs at the copy"
and Treherne never saw the youth as he |
but impressed passed out
OF the room.
That night Treherne told the incident |
over his beer and Frankfurtere to the
other fellows, and they all said he
had done just right. The staff never
told him anything else in regard to any
thing he did, for Treherne WAS as fond I
OF bit OF tlattery as any man, but in
this case the boys were sincere and each
OF them wished he was the son OF rich
grocer.
~*x
The next day Treherne received let
ter from MIR. Grober, sr., as follows:
DEAR SIR: My son has told me OF his
yesterday with you. Please
find enclosed check for $50. Yours, ETC.,
j. j. GRoBER.
Treherne's face flushed, and he sat
iown and Denned the following missive:
Mr.. ]. ]. Grober:
kindly go to the devil.
You're, etc..
I. q. TREHERNE.
He enclosed the check, and that ap-
oeared to end the incident.
#%%
Five years later Treherne was still on
he desk. His hair was thin On the tor
lf his head and siivarad on tho sides