The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-09-30
Miss Finch's Journalistic
Experiment.
BY w. II. w. Campbell.

TLEvEN O'CLOCK of a summer fore
noon in the sanctum Of the Sand
wich Morning Bugle. The chief was
seated at his table, tugging at his mus
tache and ever and anon languidly
marking paragraph in the newspaper
which lay open before him.
He was cleaning from the issue OF
that morning for the weekly edition
the Clarion, with 1.-The largest circula-
ton in the states"
1t was his habit to visit the Office in
the forenoon for this purpose; also to
take note of the delinquencies of the
foreman and the night editor; to look
over the morning mali, and to lay out
the programme of the day.
It was evident, however, that on this
occasion something was on the EDITORS
mind aside from the quality and avail
ability of the paragraphs hewas mark
ing. And, In fact, the very day before,
his most useful assistant had left him
to "accept q position" as the personal
item column announced, on the Boston
Highfyer. This change had been an
ticipated and was not regretted, for
IT was the pride of the chief to train
up promising young journalists to an
excellence which brought them into
demand, and then wish them God
speed to more conspicuous and lucra-
tive poses. Yet the vacancy was to be
filed, and perhaps this consideration
accounted for the vigorous pulls at the
| chiefs mustache, the occasional
pauses in the dabs of the blue pencil
and the nervous slaps atvagrant water
bugs.
A firm but gentle tapping at the
sanctum door. ..
"Come mi" cried the chief, without
| looking up.
A young lady briskly entered the
room. Petite she was, with small, reg
ular features, inquisitive gray eyes
and cheeks hanging out rosy signals of
agitation. A close-ftting black velvet
basque set off trim and shapely fig
ure; plain black skirt and neglige
straw hat completing the costume.
She might have been IS, though her
fresh face and slender figure gave her
n more youthful appearance.
"Good morning, Mr., RUSSELL" she
said, advancing with a resolute air to
the editors table.
"Ah. good morning." echoed the
chief, raising his eyes inquiringiy.
~ have come to see If you Will give
me position on your paper"
The chief dropped his pencil. Here
was an event pumped headlong into
the current OF his meditations.
'Will you be seated, Miss" he re-
marked. se
"Julia Finch" she interjected. II
am daughter of Thomas Finch, of
Ayrestown. You know Of him, /
think"
Eyes, never met him, but-and SO
you want to try your hand on news
paper. Had any experienceq"
mo, sir. What would'be required of
me?"
written any?"
"A little, just by way Of practice"
published anything?"
"No, SIR"
"Well, hardly know. The force Is
short just now, and It's an easy time OF
the year. have thought I would like
to try q woman on the staff"
All this time the chief was sharply
scanning the candidate beneath his
eyebrows. There was an air of de-
termination and energy about her that
! pleased him. He was not man to tol
crate drones on the editorial force oil
J the Bugie.
: II believe I will venture the expert
J ment for a month" lie added, after his
inspection of the candidate was ended
A CLEAN of satisfaction flashed In the
8 inquisltive gray eyes.
= what shall have to do?" the young
! lady inquired.
~ think I will let you go through the
' exchanges, and make up the nsws ant
miscellany. You might give special at