Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-12-14
CHAPTER II
BY Charles IL. Sheldon.


pledge in good faith TO do everything
after asking, s'What would Jesus doT'
and as he supposed with his eyes open
to all rhe possible results. But as the
regular life Of the paper started on an
other week rush and whirl Of activity
he confronted it with a degree of hesi-
ration and a feeling nearly akin to fear.
He had come down to the Office very
early and for a few minutes was by
himself. He sat at his desk in a grow
ing thoughtfulness that finally became
a 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 Christlilte 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.
lie rose with the day before him and
his promise distinct and clear in his
mind. "Now Tor action, he seemed to
say. Bat he would be led BY events as
fast as they came On.
lie opened his door and began the
routine Of tho Office work. The laenay-
iuz editor ha1 just come in and was at
his de-. in the adjoining room One Of
the reporters there was pounding ogt
something on typewriter.
Edward Norman began an editorial
The Daily News was ~ evening ruFeT,
and Norman usually completed his lead
ing editorial before o o'clock.
He bad been writing about l5 min
utes when the managing editor called
ont "HeTo's this press report of yes
terday's prizefght 1T the Resort. Il
will make mp three columns and half.
! suppose it al goes in?''
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 impcr-
tance Sometimes, as in this case, it was
merely a nominal inquiry.
"Ycs-no Let me sec il. >
He took the typewritten 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.
1--WE 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 editors re
mark and thought he had perhaps mis-
understocl him.
"What did You say
Leave it out. We won't use it. .
But The managing editor was
simply uumfounded He stared al
Norman as If the editor were out Of his
mind
II think. Clark. that it ought not tc
be printed and that's the end OF it,
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 &c
be 50 extraordinary that Clark could
not help expressing himself
"Do You mean that the paper Is tc
go TO press without II word Of the prize
fight in it?'
yes; that's 8 just what | mean.
But it's unheard Of. All the Other
papers viii print it. What will oul
subscribers say? Why, it's simply -
Clark paused unable to find words &c
say what hc thought.
Edward Norman looked at Clari
thoughtfully. The managing editor
was a member Of "a church Of different
denomination from that Of Norman g.
The two mon had never talked togethc1
on religious matters, although they haC
been associated on the paper for severa
wears.
Come in hcye minute, Clark, and
thut the door " seid Norman.
Clark came in. and the two menfacet
each other alone. Norman did not speah
for minute Then he said abruptly
"Clarl1, if Christ were editing daily
paper. do you honestly think nc woulc
print three columns and half Of {
prize62ht in it2''
Clark gabpcd in astonishnent. Final
ly no replied. mo; | don't suppose h'
would. "
''Well, thats my only reason fol
yhutting this account ont OF The News
! have decided not to do thing in con
nection with the paper for n whole yea
that honestly believe Jesus would no
do 4"
Clark could not have looked me-r
amazed if tho chief had suddenly gon
crazy In fact. he did think something
was wrong, though Mr. Norman wa
one Of the last mon in the world, in hi
Judgment, 10 lose his mind.
"What effect viii that have on TN
papcrY' he finally managed to ask in
faint voice
"What do you Think" asked Edwar'
Norman. with keen glance.
81 thinl, it will simply ruin the pm
per, replied Clark promptly. He wa
gathering mp his bcwildcred senses am
| began TO rcmonstratc "Why. il ism
| feasible to run paper nowadays ol
any such basis. It's too ideal TIL
make it pay Just as euro as you live
If you shut out this prizeiight report
| you will lose hundreds Of subscribers
| 1t doesn't take prophet to say that
| The very best people in town are cage
| to read It, They know It hna take
place and when they get tho papc
this evening they will expect half
| page Mt least. Surely you can I alfor
10 disregard tho wishes of the public {
such an extent 1t viii be great isis
take If you do, in my opinion "
Edward Norman sat silent minute
Then he spoke gently, but firmly
"Clark. what. in your honest opinion
| Is tho right standard for dotrr1uiuin
conduct IL the only right standard fo
every one the probable action Of Jesus
Would You say that tho highest bei
law for man 10 live by was containe
in asking the question, What woul
| Jesus dor and then doing il rcRardlos
Of rcsultBH In other words. do You thin
men everywhere ought TO follow Jcsui
example aB close as they can In thci
daily livcsY"
'iHih tbtbNu itH h'li HloNtb hH'HHll
in his chair before he answered the ed
tor q question.
"Wby yes. suppose, If you put
ON tla grJuul of what they ought I
do. thcru no other standard Of con
duct. But tho questions are: What
-.