The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-07-09


| printing-room:
Better come in here. I've got a
| fire."
Judson spread the paper upon the
| desk and loked at it. With all his pow
erty, the Gazette did not show it typo
graphically. 1t made a far neater APP
pearanee than many more prosperous
papers. The Gazette was not unknown
among Its contemporaries, either. Its
well-turned editorials and pointed para
graphs upon general matters were
widely copied, sometimes with credit
given, oftener without. Several city
dailies were notably brighter editorial
ly the day after the Gazette reached
their offices.
Judson put the best that was in him
into the paper. II was his child, the
offspring of his brain. The exercise of
those talents which in college had been
the basis of the faculty's brilliant
prophecies regarding him made the Ga
zette a really valuable publication. But
scarcely a dozen of Bird City's scanty
population recognized that fact.
He threw aside the paper at last and
rose. At the farther end of the street
was a man-one of the few merchants
remaining in the town-who owed him
bill. He would try TO collect it, and,
II successful, could pay Sawyer and per-
haps have bit left. But he hesitated
as a sudden puff of wind shook the
| loosened windows and swept in beneath
the door; he shrank from facing the
blast.
But the trip was necessary. The man
would never come to him, and ii was
urgent that he should have the money.
He folded up severals exchanges and
placed them across his chest, buttoning
his coat tightly over them. One never
realizes how much protection from the
cold a newspaper is until he has tried
this.
But while he still hesitated the door
suddenly swung open and visitor en-
tered. AT a glance hudson saw that he
was rot a resident of Bird City. He
sat down, slipped the papers from I'M
der his coat and assumed his most bust
ness-like air.
"The wind is actually fierce to-day
said the stranger, smiling. He drew off
his gloves and took the remaining chair
in the little office. Does it always blow
this way in these parts?"
Its apt to at this season, What can
do for your inquired Judson.
This is the office of the Gazette, isn't
it?"
Eyes"
"You're the only paper in town."
1--WE certainly have that distinction"
The visitor glanced over the room.
II guess you're no better off than most
country papers, eh?" he suggested,
frankly.
WELL. admitted Judson, 1--WE are not
exactly rich"
"I've been through your town. said
the other. "Its like a graveyard, isn't
IL 2"
well, at this time of year
ayes, yes, know. These boom towns
always do slump. BY the way,'-he
leaned over and tapped the society pin
on the lapel of Judson's shabby coat
"by The way, we should know each
other" lie displayed the same insignia
upon his own waistcoat; and they shook
hands. The visitor offered Judson
cigar, and nothing further was said till
they had Smoked up"
"What college?" inquired the visitor,
behind his blue cloud.
civilians"
"l' don't mean it! Som l."
TLey shook hands again. Judson
smiled and pulled at the cigar luxur-
ously. ~ was in 49," he said.
"That SO? l followed you out the
next year. Must have known of you.
They didn't tell me your name uptown
when inquired for the office of the
paper"
"Irs Judson," said the proprietor of
the Gazette.
"Judson! Not Mortimer Judson?"
cried the other.
THE very same"
"By Georgel I'd never have known
you. You must remember me. l was
Stebbins, OF go
Little Stebbins, / declared should
not have kncwn you. You must come
up to the house with me and meet my
wife. Dear! dear! I'd never have
thought of seeing one of the cid boys
out here. Why, l used to pony you in
your Greek comps"
"Sure. And thank heaven, I've for
gotten every line of Greek | learned,
and have felt much easier ever since"
They both laughed, and Stebbins add
ed: 'But | should never have thought
to find you in this country. How is it?
Why, the place is absolutely dead!"
Judson hestated and a little flush
dyed his cheek. Things are not very
promising here Just now, grant YOU"
he said, slowly. But l thinll-that is,
hope-that better times will come.
Bird City has an excellent site. When
the z. w. & n. NJ. throws out ITS branch
line 10 the southwest"
by the way" interrupted Stebbins,
I'm connected with the Z. W. & n. NJ"
you don't say!"
"My governors president I'm sort
of an advance agent myself"
Judson stopped smoking. He looked
across at the younger man; there was
somethincr In his ewes Stebhins did NOT