The Portland daily press., 1898-09-07
TWO EDITORS.

They had both been in the trade long
enough to know the tricks. Through one
of those frequent and sudden yet not I'M
exuected journalistic changes they stepped
down and out together, Joining hands in
adversity Those journalistic gems may
as well 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
stuff-and l speak not slightingly, using
only the trade name-was Daniel CODY,
Familiarity treated as Dan.
/ 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, hav-
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
railroad, a position on the police force or
a miscellaneous job in a mining camp, as
occasion offered. Perhaps they were in a
sense independent Between them they
$4,000
harness would not laugh to scorn the cares
of the world in possession of such sum-
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 told them of 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 Roarersyille
with $50 cash, no credit and a newspaper
very much run to seed. But it had posi-
biIities. 1t was 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.
I would not have it inferred that because
the Roarersyille Banner was post NOR
TEN sheet it reflected the town. Ear from
that. Roarersville was really a very wide
awake little place. Its population was
rated at about 2, 1000, and in politics it was
all the one way for which the Populist
Senator PETER humbly thanked his Maker.
What the town needed was live newspa-
per, and it ga one shortly.
The two editors were newspaper men,
not journalists, and The Banne, was d
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 it, Poe
hadn't 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, wayiaid and assaulted
the tax collector, against whom he had q
grudge, anyhow, and the next morning
The Banner had magnificent story, brls-
Ting with facts on the mysterious, I'M
provoked and cowardly assault upon "one
of our best citizens" Dan wrote lead
ing editorial, double loaded, on the affair,
Offering reward Of S25 for the arrest and
conviction OF the nisereant, but he never
was caught This and other details OF
metropolitan journalism gave The Banner
tone.
'iOh, this is soft' unused the latter as
the partners sat in the sanctunn reading
proof "Dubby, here is my life work. l
shall consecrate myself to the interests OF
this growing town and live and die among
its peaceful people, but our progress ism It
rapid enough to suit me. Dubby, a large
scheme has entered my think tank"
''If it's another assault, you must take
your turn at it, - responded Dubbins.
Ria, hal That was rather largely
proportioned idea. Dubby, if 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
assailazlt there'd have been a lynching in
this town and another big story for Tho
Banner Tn half sorry sometimes; but,
as said I've beea thinking. Ever think
any more, Dubby?"
Occasionally. when haven't anything
else on my mind. !"
"Dubby, did you ever make speech?"
Mot in my sober senses"
well, do you think you could make
sober speech?"
st might if I had several drinks"
'Ha! hs! Dubby, that's good But
listen. want you to make speech. All
great editors make speeches, you know
You must have observed that there is a
movement afoot in this growing settle
lnent to pave our highways, and that sem
ti1nent seems to be divided upon the wis
dom of such course"
"Somo CLAIMS oppose it."
"That's it. Dubby, how would you like
to be a cIamf''
"I-a-what the thunder dc you mean?"
Listen" and he slipped to the door to
see if the Office cat was asleep and the 9th
er employees out of hearing. "How would
you like to take the lead in the opposition,
make speech against paving the streets
and destroying our sweet rural simplicity,
deAounce it and call for q general protest?"
do you want to ruin this paper?' cried
Dubbins in alarm.
II want to improve it.
"But if as one Of the rroprietors pro-
test''-
"But," said Dan, "you won't be one of
the proprietors."
What"
'Thats it. 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 Dub
bins fatly.
Eyes, you are q olam," unused Dan.
"I4astan once more. Unless The Banner