The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-10
FREAK JOURNALISM.
HOW tho Modern Sensational Sunday Sheet
Is Concocted In New York.

The managing editor of the Now York
Wornal touched bell Teruka, the dwarf
Office boy, glided into the room, cracking
his fingers and lecring at his employer.
"Inform Mr.. Dredfuhl, the Sunday edi-
tor, that will await him in the consulta-
tion room"
Tcruka, the dwarf chuckled, bowed as
low as his deformed shoulders would per-
init and with "a snakelike movement disap-
peared. Mr.. Gore the managing editor,
threw an essay on modern art into the
waste basket, and, stopping briskly out Of
the room, entered the elevator and was
carried swiftly TO the top Of the great dome
OF the Wornal building From this point,
an elevation exceeding 800 feet, it was pop
ularly supposed in New York city that one
could see the western boundary of tho
United States
The consultation room occupied a small
circular space beneath the apex of tho
dome 1t was entered by secret door
known only to the managing editor, the
Sunday editor and few of tho high
officials of The Wornal 1t possessed no
windows and was dimiy lighted by can
dies mounted in human skulls In gen.
eral design tho decorations Of the room
were in imitation OF the famous White
grim relics of tragedians, hangmeas ropes
and grotesque specimens of aniIsal life
were arranged around the red draped
walls On coffin shaped table were ink
and writing paper. A few chairs COM
pleted the furnishing of The Wornal con-
sultation room.
Mr.. Dredfuhl was prompt in appearing
He greeted Mr.. Gore cordially and having
removed a sharks head from the table liz
a cigarette and opened the conversation.
"How did you like yesterdays Sunday
Wornals"
at was fair
Dir. pFedfahl looked his disappointment
81 was hattering myself it was an excel
lent number" he said. s.
Every fair, but hardly lively enough"
said the managing editor. "You will get
along better when you thoroughly under
stand our methods. What became of that
story i suggested in which we were to
show that the shirt collars worn by New
Yorkers would make one great collar
reaching around the worlG-"
"That was crowded Out by President
Cleyeland's message" said the Sunday
editor.
"That was mistake" said Mr.. Gore
severely. "Our readers care nothing about
tUc Oh buo Iultcu eJsttcS
up local features. That was a good illus
trated story you had on 'Corns Worn by
Well Known New York Society Bellies.
Mrs. Cheekley wrote that, did she not? I
thought so. Have good man and an art
ist get us up story abou5 the clubfootod
men of New York That will make good
front page story
"a splendid suggestion, said Mr.. Dred.
fuhl. "How did you like my story about
Suicide alleyf"
"Not bloody enough" said the manag-
ing editor. "It is shame we cannot print
all our illustrations in colors. In ink you
cannot tell blood from water. What have
you for this weekY"
81 think have n good thing for lead
er," said Mr.. Dredfuhl modestly. "I have
assigned Kate Goose to go down into Jer-
sey and be devourcd by mosquitoes. just
before all Is lost she will be rescued by the
artist and will write up her experiences
exclusively for The Wornal. How do you
like that"
"That is worthy of you and The Wor-
NAL" said Mr.. Gore. "Have Mr.. Prowers
make full pago life size picture Of Jer-
sey mosquito. 1t might be well to have
our statistic!an figure out how long ID
would take Jersey mosquito to eat u
cow What else have you for next week."
II have arranged for an exclusive inter-
| view for The Wornal with the new mana
tee at Central park, said Mr.. Dredfuhl
"The manatee will make his own illustra-
tions and will give his impressions Of
modern journalism. Mr.. Scarhem, our
| poster artist, Is making-a a fine three sheet
| sketch OF the manatee talking TO The
| Wornal reporter"
"That's first rate" said Mr.. Gore as he
| lovingly caressed the skull of famous
| murderer. Have you anything novel in
| prospect for the society pagef"
"Mr. 1. n. Sipid Is writing lovely ar
| ticle about the oldest canary bird on Fifth
avenue" said the Sunday editor with fine
| enthusiasm. "Then we have lot of gen.
| eral news about poodle dogs Mrs De
| Rocksey has engaged n special stateroom
| on tho Umbria for her dog. / shall have
| seven column cut showing the stateroom
| aud tho dog with small sketches of the
dogs harness, his jewcled watch, also
! two column portrait Of tho dogs valet"
THAT is good hot stuff, said Mr.. Gore
| rapturously. Lot me toll you a secret:
! The Wornal Is going 10 burn them all up
tomorrow. havo planned the grandest
| piece of journalism ever heard OFF,
| "What is itS" asked the excited Sunday
| editor.
"The Wornnl is going to offer Queen
| Victoria go, 200, or $4,000, II she will
wrlto the lead for the Henley regatta"
"An inspirationW exclaimed Mr.. Dred-
fuhl Suppose she refuses to accept itf"
"Thnt makes no difference" said Mr..
Gore. "we save the s95, 900 and get just
as much advertising. i think that beats
our loathsomc contemporary with its puny
offer 90 ex-Prcsidcnt Harrison Of 81 600 a
day TO report the 81. Louis convention.
81 should say IL did. " asserted tue SUM-
day editor. How much shall y ssy that
tho circulation Of The Wornn was last
Sunday"
let me scc," unused the managing ed
itor as he took out n pencil. Eight hun
drcd and sixty-nine thousand four hun
dred and twenty one. ] hardly like that
combination. Eight hundred and ninety
=.