The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-08
HIS LAST ITEM.

"Will you leave this at The Planet Office
for me?'
This was a fat envelope which he held
out to me- with The Planet, Planet square,
written on il, and in one corner the famli-
lar ''News-immediate." j hesitated
moment and said, why, certainly" and
took it from him
Thank you he said, "it's the last "a
cor shall ask any ONE
The sentence ended in half sob. /
turned and locked at the man more close
Iy A very seedy fellow in very seedy
suit, with an odor of stale tobacco hang
ing about him, is not ordinarily an inter
esting parsonage, but my professional in
stinct was aroused.
Here. perhaps, was material for story.
II might be worked up into a thrilling
tale Clearly il was my duty to inquire
modestly into his situation and assist him
with my advice
Did you say The Asteroid office:'' said
pride myself on this opening. When
the conversation has stopped and you wish
TO continue II, but can think of nothing
that does noS seem silly or impertinent, it
is always in order to pretend you have
mistaken your companion meaning. In
this case it succeeded even better than
usual.
No; The Planet, The Planet. They
must have it first. / would not have The
Asteroid get it, a good item like that, and
exclusive too. >"
This was encouraging. He was q news
paper man, that was plain enough, but
why didn't he take his copy to the Office
himself, instead of loafng here On the
bridge?
The plot was thickening. 1t would
probably work up best for The Weekly.
They liked something sensational.
so you are in the fourth estate? l used
10 do q little in that way myself"
/ said this because l remember reading
In Emerson or the Bible or somewhere
that it creates a subtle sort OF Freemasonry
between persons when they find that they
have worked at the same craft. In my
youth used TO fold papers in country
town.
Yes, was a reporter, but that is my
last item. Stop he exclaimed suddenly.
You are not a reporter now, are you:"
No; l have not been reporter for some
time, " I replied, with a perfect candor.
Then / can trust you with this, and
since you have consented to do me favor
viii tell you what you are about to ask,
the substance of the item.
1t is an account of man who COM
mitted suicide by jumping from the Black
friars bridge. 1t is perfect piece OF news,
giving the mans name, correctly spelled,
his residence, names Of relatives, motives
for the rash act and all. "
When did it take place."
1t hasn't taken place al all yet. twill
take place at 1915 tonight"
But, but stammered.
'HCw do l know about it?' he broke in.
Because I'm the man. Do you under
stand DowG I'm going to kill myself to-
night. I've no friend in the world but
my paper, and / m going to do it the only
good turn in my power by giving it COZ
rect and exclusive piece of news
The man was surely crazy, but the story
was coming on finely. l must humor him.
Good, " said l. IT'S a capital idea!''
T thought of applying my maxim and tell
ing him that l had committed suicide
myself in my youth, but reflected that in
his excited state he might not believe me.
His story | must have at any cost.
Come went on. Come with me to
my rooms Just across the bridge and have
something to eat. It's-it's-it's awfully
unhealthy to so into water on an empty
stomach"
The man looked at me as If he thought
was crazy, too, but l excused it on ac-
count of his perturbed mind. He followed
me, however, ard as we walked on in ST.
lence | Rugged myself as | thought of the
material [ was gathering.
Besides the article for The Weekly,
which had now decided to expand into a
serial the incident would also make an
excellent article for The Psychological
Journal
/ might also change the facts a little,
have him crazed by strong drink and work
it up for a temperance paper with the title
The Bottle and the Bridge True Story
Founded on Facts" The possibilities
were simply endless.
A good fire, some cold meat pie, bread
and cheese and glass of hot whisky
punch soon loosened his tongue, and | had
him talking nationally enough. He had
been journalist for u years he said, had
worked on all the leading papers of Man
chester and London and had barely made
enough to support himself and an invalid
mother.
When we parted, il was past O'Clock,
and he had promised me to give up his
fatal purpose Rejecting that 1 had So
cured material from him for no end Of
good work, l gave way 10 my generous
impulses and pressed half sovereign to
his hand.
Heaven bless YOU" he sail. You
have saved my lifei''
Circumstances prevented me from work
ing zap my material for several days, but
my head was fun of it all the time, and
when l sat down ut my desk deciding 10
write the lrst serial the plot was clearly
outlined in nay mind.
wrote till late at night, then, accord
Ing to my custom, went ont for a walk.
My feet turned involuntarily toward the
Scene Of my late adventure.
! walked out upon the bridge and as I
feared the middle l saw two persons en-
Ear-d il conversation almost on the very
spot where ] bad been the humble means
# saving q human life n few nights be
fore
As I drew nearer one Of the figures
seemed strangely familiar \ moment
later ! caught the words, 1T Is the last
favor ! shall eyer ask = any one. Fl"
] Turned and fled.
Istill have on hand material for a serial
for The Weekly aud an article for The
Psychological Journal. and a dissertation
upon the hardships of journaliSlu.-kate
Field Washington.
Stripes In Poor Taste.
What a beautiful animal that zebra
So exclaimed the girl who was visiting
,ho zoo
.sN-a-a-s - -prIic1 The younc man who