The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-03
HIS LAST ITEM.

1 met him I'm the Blackfriars bridge. It
was past. midnight, and I was hurrying
| along and did not notice him until he
spoke.
"Win you leave this at The Planet Office
for me2''
This was fat envelope which he held
out to me- with The Planet, Planet square,
written on it, and in one corner the famil-
lar 'sNews-immediate. % / hesitated a
moment and said, why, certainly" and
took 1t from him.
THANK you," he said, "it's the last ia
vor shall ask any one.'
The sentence ended in a half sob I
/ turned AMI looked at the man more close
ly. very seedy fellow in a 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
1t might be worked up into thrilling
tale Clearly it was my duty to inquire
modestly nto his situation and assist him
with my advice
Did you say The Asteroid oficeS' said
I. /
pride myself on this opening. When
the conversation has stepped and you wish
to continue it, but can think of nothing
that does lot seem silly impertinent, it
is always in order to pretend you have
mistaken your companion S meaning In
this case it succeeded. even better than
usual
mo; The Planet, The Planet They
must;have it first. would not have The
AsterOid get it, good item like that, and
exclusive too.''
This was encouraging. He was news
paper man, that was plain enough, but
why didn6 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 estatef used
to do a little in that way myself
l said this because 1 remember reading
in Emerson OF the Bible or somewhere
that 1T 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 reporter, but that is my
last item Stop!' he exclaimed suddenly.
''You, are aot a reporter now, are youf''
No; have not been a reporter for some
time, replied, with perfect candor.
Then 1 can trust you with this, and
since you have consented to do me favor
I will tell you what you are about to ask,
the substance of the item.
cit 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 thie rash act and ALL
when did it take place?'
1T hasn't taken place at all yet. 1t will
take place at 1915 tonight
" But, butt stammered
"How do 1 know about it?'' he broke in.
because I'm the man. Do you under
stand now? I'm going to kill myself to-
night. I've no friend in the world but
my paper, and I'm going to do it the only
good turns in my power by giving it cor
rect and exclusive piece of news.
| The man was surely crazy, but the story
was coming on finely. I must humor him.
GOOD, Z said 1. Its a capital idea''
| I thought Of applying my maxim and tell
ing him that I 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, = I 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 go into water on an empty
| stomach"
The man looked at me as if he thought
I was crazy, too, but 7 excused it on ac-
count of his perturbed mind. He followed
Ience 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 little
have him crazed by strong drink and work
it up for temperance paper with the title
/ S.Thp ROttEa and the Rrid oe. a Trl1o 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
heen u journalist for IL years, be 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.
Vixen we parted, it was past O'Clock,
and lie had promised me to give up his
fatal purpose. Rejecting that I had Sc
cured material from him for no end of
good work, 1 gave way to my generous
impulses and pressed half sovereign to
his hand.
Heaven bless you," he said +" on
have saved my lifel'
Circumstances prevented me from work
ing up my material for several days, but
my head was full of it all the time, and
when l sat down at my desk deciding to
write the first serial the plot was clearly
outlined in my mind.
wrote till late at night, then, accord
ing TO my CUSTOM went out for walk.
My feet turned involuntarily toward the
scene of my late adventure.
walked out upon the bridge, and as
nearad the middle I saw two persons en-
gagged in conversation almost on the very
spot where I had been the humble means
of saving a human life few nights be-
fore.
AS I dlew nearer one of the figures
seemed strangely familiar. moment
later caught the words, 1T is the last
favor I shall ever ask of any one"
l turned and fed.
still have on hand material for serial
for The Weekly, and an article for The