Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-31
BY Charles M. Sheldon.
CHAPTER II.


CHAPTER II.
He that saith he abideth in him ought also to
walk even as he walked.
Edward Norman, editor of the Ray
mond Daily News, sat in his Office room
Monday morning and faced new
world Of action. He had made his
5 pledge in good faith to do everything
latter asking, "What would Jesus do3''
Eand as he supposed with his eyes open
to all the possible results But as the
regular life Of the paper started on an
other week rush and whirl of activity
he confronted it with degree of hesi-
tation and feeling nearly akin to fear.
He had come down to the Office very
early and for few minutes was by
himself. He sat at his desk in a grow
ing thoughtfulness that finally became
q desire which he knew was as great as
it was unusual. He had yet to learn,
with all the others in that little COM
pany pledged to do the Christlike thing,
that the spirit Of life was moving in
power through his own life as never be-
fore He rose and shut his door and
then did what he had not done for
years.. He kneeled down by his desk
and prayed for the Divine presence and
wisdom to direct him.
He rose with the day before him and
his promise distinct and clear in his
mind. "Now for action" he seemed to
say. But he would be led by events as
fast as they came on.
He opened his door and began the
routine of the Office work. The manag-
ing editor had just come in and was at
his desk in the adjoining room One of
5 the reporters there was pounding out
something on typewriter.
Edward Norman began an editorial
The Daily News was an evening paper,
and Norman usually completed his lead
ing editorial before o'clock.
He had been writing about Is min
utes when the managing editor called
out: Here's this press report of yes
terday's prizetight at the Resort 1t
viii make up three columns and half
/ suppose it all goes in o.
Edward Norman was one of those
newspaper men who keep an eye on
every detail Of the paper. The manag-
ing editor always consulted his chief in
matters of both small and large impor-
lance. Sometimes, as in this case. itwas
merely nominal inquiry.
sYes-no. Let meNee it.
He took the typew1itten matter just
as it came from the telegraph editor
{ and ran over it carefully. Then he laid
the sheets down on his desk and did
some very hard thinking.
I'VE won't run this in today" he
said finally.
The managing editor was standing
in the doorway between the two rooms.
He was astonished at the editor's re-
mark and thought he had perhaps mis-
understood him.
What did you says"
Leave it out. We won't use it.
But The managing editor was
simply dumfounded. He stared at
Norman as if the editor were out of his
mind.
81 think, Clark, that it ought not to
be printed. and that's the end Of it, I"
said Edward Norman, looking up from
his desk.
Clark seldom had any words with the
chief. Norman's word had always been
law in the Office. and he had seldom
been known to change his mind. The
circumstances now, however, seemed to
Abe so extraordinary that Clark could
not help expressing himself.
DO you mean that the paper is to
go to press without q word of the prize.
fight in itf"
4 eyes; that's just what I mean"
But it's unheard Of AL the other
papers will print it. What will our
subscribers say2 Why. it's simply ~
Clark paused. unable to find words to
! say what he thought.
Edward Norman looked at Clark
L thoughtfully. The managing editor
y was member of church of different
l denomination from that Of Norman 9.
The two men had never talked together
81 on religious matters, although they had
been associated on the paper for several
years.
"Come'in here minute, Clark, ant
r. buub bIle uOOT, SdlU NOrulau. A
Clark came in. and the two men faced
each other alone. Norman did not speal
for minute. Then be said abruptly:
Clark, if Christ were editing dali,
paper, do you honestly think he would
print three columns and a half Of ,
prizefght in itY''
Clark gasped in establishment. Final
y he replied, mo; I don't suppose h
would. @ 2.
Well, that's, my only reason 70
shutting this account out of The News
/ have decided not to do thing incon
nection with the paper for whole yea,
that honestly believe Jesus would no
do
Clark could not have looked nor
amazed if the chief had suddenly gon
crazy. In fact, he did think something
was wrong. though Mr.. Norman wa
one of they st men in the world, III hi
judgmenY 70 lose his mind.
'.Whaf eject Ein that have on tn