Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-12-10
TWO EDITORS.

They had both been in the trade long |
enough to know the tricks. Through one
Of those frequent and sudden yet not UNI
expected journalistic changes they stepped
down and out together, joining hands in
adversely. Those journalistic gems may
as we'll be designated by name. The ex-
scissors editor of The Advocate was Law
renee Dubbins, called "Dubby'' for con-
yenience. He who handled the religious
stutf-and l speak not s%lightingly, using
only the trade name-was Daniel CODY,
familiarly treated as Dan.
l have never learned how they got to
Topeka, but thither they went. There
they found themselves, not with heavy
hearts, nor yet with heavy purses, but
with the conviction that the superb end
shaper, destiny, had something in store
for them. And they were not proud, hay
ing mutually agreed that, nothing in the
journalistic line materializing, they or
either of them would accept the presidency
Of a bank, the general management Of q
railroad, a position on the police force or
a miscellaneous job in II mining camp, as
occasion offered. Perhaps they were in u
sense independent. Between them they
had $500, and what newspaper man in
harness would not laugh to scorn the cares
of the world in possession of such a sunni?
As they created no sensation in the Kan
sas capital they were about spending
money to move on when they encountered
a man inspired, who old them of a town
200 miles due west where a newspaper
could be bought at ruinous rates. Dan
and Dubby took counsel together-went,
saw and bought.
They settled down to life in ROarersville
with $50 cash, no credit and a newspaper
very much run to seed. But it had posi-
bilities. 1t was a four page affair and
came out weekly if the editor found enough
news to fill it up if not, then as soon as
something happened of Importance to war
rant the filling and closing of the forms.
would not have it inferred that because
the Roarersville Banner was a post NOR
TEN sheet it reflected the town. Far from
that. Roarersville was really a very wide
awake little place. Its population was
rated at about 2,O00, and in politics 1t was
all the one way for which the Populist
Senator PETER humbly thanked his Maker.
What the town needed was a live newspa-
per, and it got one shortly.
The two editors were newspaper men,
not journalists, and The Banner was a
success from the start. Dan took hold Of
the editorial end. Dubbins assumed the
cares of the business management, and to-
gether they acted as devil, composition
force and pressmen. They kicked off the
edition regularly every week too. The
paper was never held back now for lack of
matter. If there wasn't enough news to
fill it up, the two partners made 1t. Poe
hadn't a finer Imagination for curdling
crimes than Dan. Once when news was
particularly scarce, with the forms to be
closed at midnight, the business manager
went out after dark, waylaid and assaulted
| the tax collector, against whom he had a
grudge, anyhow, and the next morning
The Banner had a magnificent story, bris-
Ting with facts, OH the mysterious, un-
provoked and cowardly assault upon Zone
of our best citizens" Dan wrote a lead
ing editorial, double loaded, Oh the affair,
Offering a reward of $25 for the arrest and
conviction Of the miscreant, but he never
was caught. This and other details of
metropolitan journalism gave The Banner
tone.
ooh this is soft!" unused the latter as
the partners sat in the sanctum reading
proof. "Dubby, here is my life work. !
shall oonsecrate myself to the interests OF
this growing town and live and die among
it's peaceful people, but our progress isn't
rapid enough to suit me. Dubby, q large
scheme has entered my think tank"
eff it's another assault, you must take
your turn at it," responded Dubbins.
"Ha, hal That was a rather largely
proportioned idea. Dubby, II occasion
had arisen for the payment Of that reward
which we, in the kindness Of our hearts,
offered for the arrest and conviction of the
assailant there'd have been a lynching in
this town and another big story for The
Banner. I'm half sorry sometimes; but
as 1 said, I've been thinking. Ever think
any more, Dubby?"
Occasionally, when l haven't anything
else on my mind"
"Dubby, did you ever make a speechs'
"Not in my sober Senses"
well, do you think you could make
sober speechP"
II might if l had several drinks"
Hal hal Dubby, that's good. Blu
listen. I want you to make a speech. AL
great editors make speeches, you know
You must have observed that there Is
movement afoot in this growing settle
ment to pave our highways, and that sell
timent seems to be divided upon the wis
dom of such a course"
"Some CLAIMS oppose 1t.
"That's 1t. Dubby, how would you lik
to be q clamY"
"I-a-what the thunder do you meana'
Listen, y and he slipped to the door t
see II the office cat was asleep and the 9th
er employees out Of hearing. ''How woul
you like to take the lead In the opposition
make a speech against paving the street
and destroying our sweet rural simplicity
denOunce 1t and call for a general protest?
do you want to ruin this paper?" crie
Dubbins in alarm.
II want to improve IT.
But If / as II Of the ;sroprietors pre-
test''-
But" said Dams you won't be one @
the proprietors.
what"
That's 1t. You will leave the sheet
and The Banner will support the move
Inent. You will draw OUT
I'm do nothing Of the kind, said Duh
l,ins fatty.
"Yes, you are a clam unused Dan
Listen once more. Unless The Banns
Notice For Publication.