The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1897-11-18
FRANK M'LAuGHLlN'S START
A St1ry About the Late Publisher of the
Philadelphia Times.

A St1ry About the Late Publisher of the
Philadelphia Times.
Upon one occasion in 1851-Frank
Mclaughlin was then only % years
of age-it happened that the fore
man and his first assistant were alb
sent and that John Mclaughlin was
at home i'll. Young Frank McLaugh-
lin was then the fastest setter of
type in the Office. At the dinner
hour on the day in question, and
when every stick" was lying at
rest, Abraham Barker, the father
Of the we'll known Wharton Barker
and himself then one of the very
few brokers in this city, walked in
to The Ledger job printing Office
with a stock list-an enumeration
of the figures of the financial mar
ket of the day-and expressed de-
sire to have it put in type and SO
copies struck off for immediate use.
By reason of the conditions de-
scribed, there was no one in author
ity to attend him, and Frank Nc
Laughlin stepped forward and re-
ceived the order. The stock list of
that time, unlike the complex and
almost cumbersome affair of the
present day, was an abbreviated
statement, and two men could east
ly place it in type within one-quar-
ter of an hour. When Mr.. Barker
asked the young printer if he would
undertake the task, the latter an
swered with cheerful alacrity, Ger
tainlyl' Cutting the list in two and
turning to one of the Oldest compos-
itors in the Office, he said, Here,
Jim, take one of these takes, and
I'll take the other, and we'll rush
her through in jiffy."
The man addressed walked for
ward with a frown on his face, and
after ne had taken the slip of paper
and was moving back to his case he
muttered some half understood
words about ''giving fellow a
chance to eat his dinner. -
Never mind, Jim,'' said young
Mclaughlin, walking quickly after
him and taking the copy from his
hands It'll do the job myself. ="
During these proceedings Abraham
Barker never left the Office, nor did
he until the work had been complet-
ed. He leaned quietly against a
make up table, and, reading copy
of the New York Tribune he car
ried, was apparently oblivious to all
that was going on about him.
Young McLaughlin's fingers flew as
he picked up the little pieces Of met
al. In less than half an hour he had
the stock list in type, revised and so
copies struck off. He handed them
to Mr.. Barker with an apology for
keeping him waiting. What Done
already9" said the broker, and,
with a simple "Thank your he left
the Office.
The following morning the young
printer was surprised by receiving
a note from the customer of the day
before requesting him to call at his
Office. He did so. II heard every
thing that took place in The Ledger
Office yesterday, said the financier,
land fully appreciate your conduct.
I would like you to print the stock
list for me every day for one month,
and I'll pay you $500 for the work. !"
"But it is not worth that much, I"
answered the printer.
"It is worth that much to me to
have it done as you did it yester
day." was the reply. That was
Frank McLaughlin's first work for
himself-his first from an employer
who paid him a weekly wage. At
the expiration Of the month the con-
tract was extended to three times
that period, and then to 10 months,
with an annual recompense of Sc, 600.
Bear in mind that this was accom-
plished by a young man at time
when journeymen printers were re-
ceiving about $40 weekly, and only
in extraordinary instances earning
81 or So beyond that sum. -Philadel-
phia Times.