The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-03

military railway in Egypt to the advance army
of occupation. They camp in a palm grove near
the Nile during the heat of the day. Mortimer
and Scott are veteran correspondents. Anerley
of the railway. rides by to the front on pressing
business.
PART II.
Nothing serious, 1 SUPPOSE said Nor
timer, staring after him.
"Deuced serious" cried Scott. 1.-The ham
and eggs are burned, No-it's all right
saved, and done to a turn! Pull the box
up, Anerley. Come on, Mortimer, stow that
notebook. The fork is mightier than the
pen just at present. What's the matter
with you, Aneriey?'
Il was wondering whether what we have
just seen was worth a telegram"
well. it's for the proprietors to say if it's
worth it. Sorbid money considerations are
not for us. We must wire about something
just to justify our kharki coats and our
putties.'
But what is there to say?"
Mortimer's long austere face broke into a
smile over the youngsters innocence.
It's not quite usual in our profession to
give each other tips said he, However,
| as my telegram Is written. I've no objection
to your reading it. You may be sure that
= -
the slightest Importance"
Anerley took up the slip of paper and
read:
~'Merryweather obstacles stop journey
confer general stop nature difficulties later
stop rumors Dervishes."
This is very condensed" said Anerley,
with wrinkled brows.
'Condensed.'' cried Scott. why, it's sim
fully garrulous. If my old man got a wire
like that his language would crack the
lamp shades. I'd cut out half this; for ex-
ample, I'd have out Journey and nature
and 'rumors.' But my old man would make
a ten-line paragraph of it for all that"
Howl
We'll, I'll do it myself just to show you.
Lend me that stylo." He scrubbed for a
minute in his notebook. 1T works out
somewhat on these lines:
Mr.. Charles II. Merryweather, the
eminent railway engineer. who is at present
engaged in experimenting the construction
of the line from Sarras to the front, has
met with considerable obstacles to the
rapid completion of his important task-of
course the old man knows who Merry
weather is, and what he is about, so the
word obstacles would suggest all that to
him. He has to-day been compelled to
make a journey of forty miles to the front
in order to confer with the general upon
the steps which are necessary in order to
facilitate the work. Further particulars of
the exact nature of the difficulties met with
will be made public at a later date. All is
quiet upon the line of communications,
though the usual persistent rumors of the
presence of Dervishes in the eastern desert
continue to circulate.-Our Own Core
spondent.'
"How's that" cried Scott, triumphantly,
and his white teeth cleaned suddenly
through his black beard. That's the sort
of 1apdoodle for the dear old public
viii it interest them?'
ooh, everything interests them. They
want to know all about it; and they like
to think that there is a man who is get
ting a hundred a month simply in order to
tell it to them
It's very kind of you to teach me all
this
We'll, it is a little unconventional, for
after all we are here to score over each
other if We can. There are no more eggs.
and you must take it out in jam. CT
C urse, as Mortimer says, such a telegram
as this is of no Importance one way or
another except to prove to the office that
we are in the Soudan, and not at Monte
Carlo. But when it comes to serious work
it must be every man for himself
rs that quite necessary
why, of course it is
II should have thought if three men were
to combine and to share their news, they
| would do better than if they were each to
act for themselves; and they would have
a much pleasanter time of it,"
The two older men sat with their bread
and jam in their hands and an expression
of genuine disgust upon their faces.
I'VE are not here to have Il pleasant
time said Mortimer, with a flash through
his glasses. we are here to do our best
for our papers. How can they score over
each other if we do not do the same? If
we all combine we might as well amalga-
mate with Reuter- at once
why it would take away the whole
glory of the profession" cried Scott. AT
present the smartest man gets his stuff
first on the wires. What inducement is
there to be smart if we all share and
share alike?"
And at present the man with the best
equipment has the best chance remarked
Mortimer, ~glancing across at the shot
silk polo ponies and the cheap little Syrian
| grey. That is the fair reward of fore
sight and enterprise. Every man for him
self, and let the best man win "
That's the way to find who the best
man is. Look at Chandler. He would
never have got his chance if he had not
played always off his own bat. You've
heard how he pretended to break his leg,
sent his feIlow-correspondent off for the
doctor. and so got a fair start for the tel
egraph Office"
DO you mean to say that was legiti-
mate?'
Everything is legitimate. It's your wits
against my wits"
II should call it dishonorable.'
You may call it what you like. Chan
dler's paper got the battle and the others
didn't. 1t made Chambers name"
"Or take West!ake," said Mortimer, cram
ming the tobacco into his pipe. Hi, Abdul.
you may have the dishesi Westlake brought
his stuff down by pretending to be the gov
eminent courier. and using the relays of
government horses. Westlake's paper sold
Falf a million"
rs that legitimate also?' asked Amer
ley, thoughtfully.
Why not?"
Well. it looks a little like morse stealing
and lying"
We'll, L think | should do a little horse
stealing and lying if l could have q column
to myself in a London daily. What do you
say, Scott?'
Anything short of manslaughter."
a..