The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-06-25

old press in the other room. When the
edition was off he should have to tell
Sawyer to go. The paper had not taken
in a single subscription or Il dollar for
advertising in n fortnight. Judson's
o%vercoat had bought the ink necessary
TO get out this present issue. The
thought made him SILVER as he sat be-
fore the desk, for the wind was begin
ming to blow chill across the prairie.
The old press stopped its asthmatic
rattle, and Sawyer brought in one of
the damp sheets.
shes getting warmed up now, an
the rag looks pretty WELL" he said.
"Why don't you have a fire in here?"
Pm not cold" returned Judson,
reaching out a blue hand for the paper.
Sawyer cast a glance into the empty
wood-boX, as he went back into the
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
pearance 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 al last and
rose. At the farther end of the street
was Il man-one of the few merchants
remaining in tie town-who owed him
a bill. He would try to collect it, and,
if successful. could pay Sawyer and per-
haps have a 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 it was
urgent that he should nave the money.
He folded up several 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 a visitor en-
tered. Al a glance Judson saw that he
was O a resident of Bird City. lie
sat Gown. slipped the papers from un-
der his coat and assumed his most bust
ness-like air.
TIE wind is actually fierce to-day"
said ;he 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 20 AT this season, What IA
l do for you?" inquired Judson.
This is the office of the Gazette, isn't
ito"
"Yes."
you're the only paper in town."
"We certainly have that distinction"
The visitor glanced over the room.
81 guess you're no better off than most
country papers, eh?" he suggested,
frankly.
WELL" admitted Judson. "we are not
exactly rich"
I've been through your town." said
the other. ITS like a graveyard, isn't
it?"
"Well, al this time of year.
"Yes, yes, know. These boom towns
always do slump. BY the way,"-be
leaned over and tapped the society pin
on the lapel of Judson's shabby coat
''by the way, we should know each
other" He displayed the same insignia
upon his w waistcoat; and they shook
hands. The visitor offered Judson a
cigar, and nothing further was said till
they had smoked up"
"What college?" inquired the visitor,
behind his blue cloud.
Williams"
"Y' don't mean it! So'mI l."
They shook hands again. Judson
smiled and pulled a: the cigar luXuri-
ously. 81 was in 80" he said.
THAT so? 1 followed you out the
next year. Must have known of you.
They didn't tell me your name uptown
when l inquired for the office of the
paper"
ITS Judson," said the proprietor of
the Gazette.
"Judson! Not Mortimer Judson?"
cried the other.
The very same"
by George! I'd never have known
YOU. You must remember me. I was
Stebbins, of 80"
Little Stebbins, 1 declare. l should
not have known 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
,-o,,r Craal. nOrpSs