Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-10-11

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"'TutY l. :4s:s' E: Fl: ;:i1. :s's ";5;: ';5s f:
~ man with the
bullying pocketbook "Tallantire, you
always know everything, who's going
to win the Derby this year? want
fver badly"
Another man, who was stabbing the
red stuffed seats with an umbrella,
grinned.
"Tallantire's tips! Fatal above the
average, by Jove"
They were a group of journalists in
a little Fleet street restaurant, and the
newcomer-a young man with strong,
rugged features and gray eyes-re-
turned the greeting with a nod. his
clothes were seedy, and he looked de
pressed-with reason, for Mr.. Dick
Carroll was free lance in New Grub
street, and things were very bad with
him, indeed.
"Of course, you all know that the
Mayfair Mirror has sacked Inglefeld?"
continued he of the pocketbook. "Yes,
it's fact The rock they split upon
was this American singing woman the
public is making such a fuss about
Cynthia Charrington. She is eccen-
trio it seems-won't be interviewed,
and because nobody else can get an
interview the Mirror wants one
wants it badly-would give its ears
for one. Well, Inglefeld went after it
and failed. She fatty refused to re-
ceive him. II wasn't his fault, of
course, but the Mirror wouldn't see it.
and intimated that he was muff.
They had words, and wished each
other good morning. Whereupon it
comes to pass that there is a vacancy
on the staff of the Mayfair Mirror, and
guess if anybody could do that inter
view, and supply the long-felt want,
he would stand very good chance of
filling it. Waiter, are you raising
that chop?"
Coming, sir"
"Rawson of the Mirror always had
a beast of temper" growled the man
with the beard, 'but, all the same, a
post on his sixpenny rag isn't to be
sneezed at. If had the enterprise of
my early youth I would run down to
London-super-Ma Mare-sbe's staying at
the Colosseum till the new production
on Monday-and try my luck. Yah!
you rising generation haven't the nous
to grasp your opportunities when you
get 'em."
The speaker subsidized into a corner,
and the discussion of an entre-cote,
and Dick Carroll collected every coin
he had about him and summed up the
total.
Seven and tenpence," he reflected.
"Just the price of third return to
Brighton, and fourpence over to play
with. Shall go or shall have dinner?
Shall ] lose a chance of obtaining a
jolly good post or dine off buns?"
He weighed the idea and the silver
obviously, and he decided in favor of
boldness and buns.
Eyes, sir?" queried the waiter with
a cordial grin-Dick was an old Gus
toner.
81 have just recollected an appoint
ment," exclaimed the journalist, gen.
tally, for the benefit of his brothers
in-arms; he would rather have died than
confess the state of his exchequer. II
shall not tax the resources of your
chef ;o-day. | wish you good-morn-
ing, John"
He went, humming, had a bun and q
glass of milk at the A. B. c. next
door, and walked to London Bridge
l.. = 1,
bus fare. When he settled himself in
the corner of a compartment, he had
nothing in his pockets but three ha'-
pence and postage-stamp trihe the
worse for wear
IT," said Dick, miss Charrington
is adamantine, / shall-what shall
do?"
He shivered as he caught glimpse
of the Thames over the parapet of the
bridge-the muddy water sugg ested
unpleasant thoughts.
1t was just quarter past two when
he entered the hotel and asked at the
enquiry office in the hall for Miss Char
rington.
The singer had a suite of rooms on
the first floor, and a boy in buttons
took his ca rd to her. Dick knew that
If he were to mention the word sin
tervie W" she would probably refuse to
see him; his only chance was to gain
her presence in his private capacity
and trust to Providence and her good
nature for the upshot.
"Say l should be glad of a few min
utes' conversation with her on a mat
ter of business" said Dick, and then
he waited with his heart in his throat
till the buttons" reappeared with the
information that Miss Charrington
would see him, and forthwith escorted
him up the broad staircase to her pri-
vate sitting-room.
Dick was not of bashful DISPOSE
ton, but the nature of his errand
killed his aplomb. He felt his color
rise as she turned from the open win
dow and advanced towards him hold
ing his card in her hand-a tall, ele-
CANT woman, with a well-poised head,
a somewhat languid manner, and the
regular, delicate features which her
portraits In the windows of the West
End photographers had made familiar
to him.
Miss Charrington?" he said.
She bowed and motioned to Il chairi
but she did not seat herself, SO he re-
mained standing He saw that she
was looking inquiringly at him, and
that it devolved upon him to make the
plunge. He made it-with misgivirgs.
II am afraid" he began, that
misled you somewhat when / request
ed to see you on a matter of business.
The truth is that ! am IA journalist,
and, as the public is always interested
in the lives Of it's favoritcs, | hoped
YOU wonld be so kind as to grant me
brief interview for publication in the
Mayfair Mirror"
AS he spoke the word Journalist" he
saw her brows contract sharply. Now
she flashed an inimitable glance of In
dignation at him.
81 wish you good morning, sir" she
said curtly.
Dick caught his breath, and his head
went up with Il jerk.
'If have annoyed you, l beg your
pardon"
"'Ifp | object to being prosecuted
in this way by the press. / won't have
it! The public pays for my profession
al services, but my private life Is my
own and concerns nobo1v but rnvec1f