The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-10-16
AGAINST HIS WILL.

The editor was disgusted and no won
der,
1t was the dull season and the Scru-
tator was compelled to resort to much
padding in order to fill the daily measure
expected by its subscribers; 1t was
even obliged to print copious extracts
from other publications. thing only
to be done as a last resource by any
PAPER of spirit Yet at this particular
time 4 celebrity, real celebrity, came
for n few days stay to Oakhampton, and
refused to be interviewed:
Why he came was mystery, but that
be had come was n fact, though from the
editors point of view he might just as
well have stayed away. The celebrity's
unobliging disposition on the subject of
interviewing had preceded him; he was
perhaps the only man of note in two
continents who had not submitted to
the ordeal. In moments of self-depre-
citation he WIS won to say that that was
his greatest claim to distinction; but
even this reputation had not daunted
the hopes of our editor. who felt con-
Ninced that the surliest Discrimination
must give way before the charm and tact
Of the most valuable member of the
Scrutator's staff But the tact. the
charm, had no opportunity of producing
their usual effect; they might we'll
have been noneNistent. Celebrity. from
the privacy of n hotel sitting-room, sent
down n curt message of absolute re-
fusal.
No wonder, then. as we said before,
the editor was disgusted.
As he meditated on the provoking
ness of things in general and of the Gel
ebrity in particular. he found his
thoughts running into such eloquent
and well-rounded periods that he in
stinctively drew pen and paper toward
him and wrote an editorial. which, If the
celebrity had read ii. would have made
him feel very small indeed.
The article clearly proved that what
the Public demanded ii must have (for
the public spelt with a capital + WAS as
sacred to the editor as Humanity (spelt
with n capital I'D is to the followers of
Auguste Comte. The individual as such
exists not for his own sake. but for the
sake of the Public in one case. or of
Humanity in the other. The article
further demonstrated that celebrities
would not exist without Public. OIoS
could anyone become celebrated on a
desert island. for instance?) If then.
it is to the Public that the celebrity owes
his being. and the Public manifesfs n Gu
riosity as to the opinions on things in
general of any celebrity in particular.
the Public has right TO know those
opinions. and how could it know them
better than through the columns of the
Scrutator2
But our editor was not always in this
displeaSed frame of mind. AS a rule he
was the most genial of men, and such
he looked that same evening as he sat
smoking his cigar on the gallery OF Il
handsame house in Clarence avenue.
His companion was his niece. n young
girl with pretty face and figure. and
a mischievous look in her dark ewes
which was particularly fascinating.
Shewas discoursing about the dearest
wish of her heart-that she should be
come a regular writer for the Scru-
tator.
But her uncle pooh-poohed the idea:
she was too young. too inexperienced,
too pretty. and at any rate it was impos-
s;ble to become Il writer by simply talk
ing about it. Why" continued he. do
you not write something and show me
what you can do?'
know. but you won't look at them,' re-
piled he girl.
"Oh, no, the Scrutator does not want
stories. Write me an article on some
subject which will interest the public"
But, what subjects do interest the
public. uncle. dear? You only laugh at
me if | suggest one"
"Oh, come now-you can't expect a
as well as read your articles. Make your
own choice. The world is all before you
V here to choose"
THAT'S just what bewilders me; il is
Sc hard to choose. If only had some
thing definite to go upon-or if coax
ingly)-you would just look at one of
my stories"
But the editor vouchsafed no reply to
this. so his niece went on: My firm
Conviction is that should make splen-
cid interviewer. l should enjoy it. too.
| At college could always get the girls
10 tell me anything l wanted to know"
The editor laughed.
| ''Why not become n detective at
cnee?" said he.
| II wish could, sighed the girl But
| her uncle was not attending; he was
. ~
rapidly past the house.
That's the mani" he exclaimed
that's Cambertoni'
'Oh. that mani''-for Kittie knew all
about the editors grievance with the
celebrity-.'he passes here every day
| | have met him several times lately
when | have been out on my morning
| ride. / wondered who he was
| -'Well, ] must go now" said her uncle
| as he glanced at his watch Good
| night. child,'' and then, as an after
thought: Tell you what. Kittie, if you
| can manage to interview Camberton II
do anything you like" and with a laugh
as though he had made tremendous
Joke, the editor departed. leaving Kittie
TO her thoughts. which, as the poet says
of the thoughts of youth, were long
| long thoughts"
III.
Early next morning two cyclists might
| have been seen wheeling up Clarence
| avenue. The one in front was n man
big and Observation-Disclosures man
whom to see was to remember. The
| tassr II /,