Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-08-20
A AND
The First Meeting of Two Master
Minds in journalism.

rotary in the Office set apart for him,
but rarely occupied. in the New York
Herald Building. Henry w. Grady's
card was brought in.
"A bright journalist" remarked Ben
nett. showing the card to his secretary,
but his paper. the Atlanta Herald, Is
dead. l believe"
ut went to the wall months ago." re-
piled the other.
$50 l thought. and Grady is prob
ably out Of IA job. Well. I have moth
ing for him. but it will do no harm to
see him. Show him in."
In another m a smOoth-faced
youth walked in, and his brilliant eyes,
flashing with the fire Of genius, and his
animated features at once prepossessed
Bennett In his favor.
The young Georgian did not look like
a man Of 26. He could easily have
passed for a youth OF 20. The great
metropolitan editor felt something like
Il pleasant electric shock when his Wis
itor grasped his rather limp and pas
sive hand. Then he found something
in the young mans eyes hard to de-
scribe-an indetinable something Sug-
gestive of power, mastery and mag
netism.
Grady ratified away for ten minutes
CT so and then assumed a businesslike
look.
''Your time is precious" he said. land
so l will tell you the object Of my visit
at once. l want to be the Herald's
Southern correspondent"
For Georgian" Bennett inquired.
"NO. indeed. l want Il wider field.
Give me the entire South. l can cover
everything from Atlanta. and reach ev-
cry point in a few hours"
''That is out of the question" was
the quick answer. You ask for too
much territory. Each Southern State
has its peculiar problems and condi-
tons, and a young man Of your age
cannot possibly be familiar with them,
nor can he have an intimate acquaint-
nee with all the leading public men,
to say nothing Of the factions and feuds
which divide some of the States"
Il know all about them" said Grady.
II have made a special study Of the
whole business, and l can give you
more satisfactory work than any ten
correspondents you could select"
The editor of the Herald frowned.
This boyish journalist was claiming too
much.
MIR. Grady" he said, gravely, "you
are doubtless well informed in regard
to matters in Georgia, but what could
you do If l require three or four col
umns at once about the situation in
Mississippi, South Carolina or Arkan-
sas"
Grady gave a ringing laugh.
THAT is just what l expected" he
answered in his breezy way. But
you should test me before you give me
an answer"
THAT is fair" replied Bennett, land
l will do so. l have just received a
private telegram from Mississippi,
where there are indications of serious
race troubles. Look it over, and write
a two-column article on the subject
here at my desk. Give a detailed story
Of the political situation and a con-
densed history of the leaders on both
sides. 1t Is now II O'clock. Have the
article ready by 2"
Without another word the Herald
editor put on his hat and left the room.
Grady threw of his coat, and turned
to the secretary.
well, Bud" he said, in his rollicking
way, what have you got to do just
nOw?"
Nothing at present"
How many words "a you write an
hour on your typewriter"
"Oh, about two thousand"
Then sail in. I'll dictate my article"
"Mr. Benefits very particular" was
the response.
$50 am I, Bud. Now, you just 60
ahead, and when we finish we'll go out
and lunch"
The secretary said afterward that he
spent a delightful hour and a half. The
words rolled from Grady's lips in a
food of perfect diction. Occasionally
the speaker switched off from his sub
ject to tell an anecdote or a racy story.
and then picked up the thread of his
narrative again, without a. break.
When the work was done the secre-
tory was in love with his new %acquaint-
ance, and after l%unching with him he
was ready to pronounce him the finest
fellow and the most brilliant genius IN
the world.
At 2 o'clock Mr.. Bennett returned. He
regarded the typewriter article handed
him by his secretary with astonish-
ment. ard Immediately read it through.
why, it is a complete epitome Of
Mississippi politics." he remarked.
Mr.. Grady dictated it," said the
secretary.
1T is just what l want" answered
his chief, ''but l must ask Grady a few
questions
At that moment the Georgian made
his appearance. Though well pleased
with his work, and surprised to find
it so rapidly executed. Mr.. Bennett,
with his usual caution. proceeded to
sound the young journalist upon many
| questions relating to political. racial