The record-union., 1898-09-04
The REFORMATION
OF "JACK" FARRELL.
CWritten for the Record Union by
\


1t was not the fault Of the manage
ment of the ''Trumpeter" that Farrell
was still retained on the staff in spite
of his many falls from grace.
Reporters are not made, they are
born. The reportorial instinct is an
overwhelming desire to ferret out news.
The management of the 'Trumpeter'
recognized this inborn instinct in Far
rell and put up with him accordingly
Besides, his genius was not confined
strictly to reporting; he was equally at
home in the editorial column, or in the
getting out of thrilling special for
the Sunday edition. 1t was his versa
tility which endeared him to the man
agement. When the long suffering city
editor expostulated with him he looked
penitent, listened respectfully and in
Variably promised reformation. He
would be as straight as a die for the
next six months when his besetting sin
would again get the better of him, and
for week he would absent himself
from the office, coming back at the
end of that time to take up his work
Just where he had left it Off.
1t would not be expedient to dis
charge Farrell reasoned the harasSed
city editor, because in the entire State
there was only one Jack Farrell. An
other thing which caused the city edi-
tor to hesitate was the fact that the
Morning Blast" the rival paper
across the street, had some time pre-
viously made Farrell a good offer to
accept a position with them, but so
far Farrell had declined to take it..
One of his reasons was that the
''Trumpeter," thanks to his ef-
forts, had the largest circulation in
the county and it would be too much
trouble to work up the same for the
Blast Therefore Farrell seemingly
had things his own way.
One night Mr.. Jones, the city editor,
came in with the announcement that
the next morning the staff would take
on new member in the person Of Miss
Zella Waite, who would work in con-
junction with Mr.. Farrell on the spe-
cials, and to FarrelTs intense surprise,
for he had been totally ignorant of the
contemplated addition to the force; the
young woman was assigned the table
next his own; then as copy happened
to be coming in easy, one of the young
er reporters was told to clear out the
table drawer for her.
The news came like a thunderbOlt
from out clear sky upon the boys who
were lounging in the various and negli-
gee attitudes common to reporters when
they haven't much to do. They
Strengthened up Immediately and cast
FlndictiVe looks upon the city editor,
who sat serenely unconscious of the
storm he had created giving out assign
ments in his usually clear, concise man
ner. Seeing that the city editor was
impervious they next turned their at
tentiOn to Farrell. He had always
maintained a discreet silence on the
woman question, and no amount of
Wheedling had been able to get him to
express an opinion one way or the
other; for that reason they had come
to regard him as a woman hater. AS
usual he was suspiciously silent and
continued bending over his writing with
his face half hidden.
The next morning Miss Waite ap-
peared. When she was half way up
the stairs the office boy rushed breath
lessly into the room. She's coming" +"
| he cried, and, oh my, amt she bird
thought" and the city editor being tenn
porarily out of the room the office boy
winked openly. At this there was Il
wild scramble for coats and a gen
eral removal of hats and corn cob
pipes. When Miss Waite finally ap-
peared the room bore suspiciously de-
corous appearance, and only a vague
smell of tobacco fingered in the atmos-
| phere. Just then the city editor came
! in and introduced her separately to the
reporters present with the remark that
/ ha 1o
| could to assist her in her work; then
he brought her down to Farrell and left
| her with him.
The new lady reporter was a young
woman with a great deal of force of
| character and determination. She took
to the work naturally. After while
! the reporters became accustomed to
her presence in the office. and as she
was inclined to make herself agreeable
and was not at all finical she was
graciously tolerated.
At first there had been a general in
| clination to chaff Farrell, but after he
| had shown d-thirsty desire to
wipe the earth with Cooper, who was
! inclined at times to be little bit fresh,
he was let severely alone, though com
ments and speculations were passed
| freely enough IN MS absence.
Thus time passed on, and six months,
the usual limit Farrell set upon himself,
passed away; then, in the midst of the
| busiest season his chair was again
vacant. He had been sent out on an
| important assignment three days previ-
| ously and had failed to return. This
was unusual; he had never been known
| to fall down" on an assignment be-
| fore; heretofore his lapses had taken
place after his work was done. On the
| third day he returned. He was looking
! distinctly seedy. He opened the low
gate which led into the reporters room
with shaking hand and entered. He
| went straight over to the city editor s
desk.
rs my place still open?" he asked.
Il suppose it is" answered the city
| editor peevishly. He had not forgot
| ten the assignment which had not been
| turned in if Farrell had. Without an
| other word Farrell turned on his heel
and walked down the long room to his
desk. He pulled out his chair, care
| fully readjusted the pile of papers upon
| it which served as a cushion, and sat
! down; next he drew out his handker-
chief and wiped the accumulated dust
| from the top of his table. He re-
| placed his handkerchief and cast CO.
vert glance at Miss Waite who sat near
! the open window writing busily. Far
rell wondered as he brought out his
copy paper and sharpened his lead pen
ell if she had seen him, but if she had
| she gave no sign.
| Under pretense of borrowing Farrell
! knife, Turner came over to him. Tur-
| ner was under Farrell and when the