Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-31

IN HIS STEPS.
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COPYRIGHTED ana ptJlis1,ed in book form b., the
Advance Publishing Co. Of Chicago.

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paper?" he finally managed to ask in a
faint voice.
"What do you think-e" asked Edward
Norman, with keen glance.
81 think it will simply ruin the pa
per, +" replied Clark promptly. He was
gathering up his bewildered senses and
began to demonstrate. "Why, it isn't
feasible to run paper nowadays on
any such basis It's too ideal. The
world isn't ready for it. You can't
make it pay. just as sure as you live,
if you shut out this prizefght report,
you will lose hundreds of subscribers.
1t doesn't take prophet to say that.
The very best people in town are eager
to read it. They know it has taken
place, and when they get the paper
this evening they will expect half a
page at least. Surely you can't afford
to disregard the wishes of the public to
such an extent. It will be great mis-
take if you do, in my opinion.
Edward Norman sat silent minute.
Then he spoke gently, but firmly.
s.Clark, what, in your honest opinion,
is the right standard for determining
conduct2 Is the only right standard for
every one the probable action of Jesus 2
Would you say that the highest, best
law for man to live by was contained
in asking the question, What would
Jesus dor and then doing it regardless
of results? In other words, do You think
men everywhere ought to follow Jesus
example as close as they can in their
daily livesf"
Clark turned red and moved uneasily
in his chair before he answered the edi-
tors question.
"Why, yes. suppose, if you put it
on the ground Of what they ought to
do, there is no other standard of CON
duct. But the questions are: What is
feasible T? Is it possible to make, it pay
To succeed in the newspaper business
we have got to conform to the customs
and the recognized methods of society.
We can't do as we would do in an ideal
world. -
edo you mean that we can run the
paper strictly on Christian principles
and make it succeed?"
Eyes; that's just what mean. 1t
can't be done. Well go bankrupt in 80
days
Edward Norman did not reply at
once. He was very thoughtful.
"We shall have occasion to talk this
over again, Clark. Meanwhile I think
we ought to understand each other
frankly. I have pledged myself for a
year to do everything connected with
the paper after answering the question,
what would Jesus dor as honestly as
possible. shall continue to do this in
the belief that not only can we succeed,
but that we can succeed better than we
ever did"
Clark rose. "Then the report does
not go in2"
1t does not. There is plenty of good
material to take its place, and you
know what 1t is.
Clark hesitated.
care you going to say anything
about the absence Of the report ~
mo; let the paper go to press as if
there had been no such thing as prize
fight yesterday"
Clark walked out of the room to his
own desk feeling as if the bottom had
dropped out Of everything. He was as
tonished, bewildered, excited and CON
siderably enraged. His great respect for
Norman checked his rising indignation
and disgust, but with it all was feel
ing of growing wonder at the sudden
change of motive which had entered
the Office of The Daily News and threat
ened, as he firmly believed, to destroy it.
Before noon every reporter, pressman
and employee on The Daily News was
informed Of the remarkable fact that
the paper was going to press without a
word in it about the famous prizefght
Of Sunday. The reporters were simply
astonished beyond measure at the an
nouncement of the fact Every one in
the stereotyping and composing rooms
had something to say about the unheard
of omission. Two or three times during
the day when Mr.. Norman had occasion
to visit the composing rooms the men
stopped their work or glanced around
ou011 SdoCS, AOOhAAS az LII CliI lOusly
He knew that he was being observed
strangely and said nothing end did not
appear to note it
There had been several changes in
the paper suggested by the editor, but
nothing marked. He was waiting and
thinking deeply. He felt as if he needed
time and considerable opportunity for
the exercise of his best Judgment in
several matters before he answered his
ever present question in the right way
1t was not because, there were not a
great many things in the life of the pa
per that were contrary to,the spirit of
Christ that he did not act at once, but
because he was yet greatly in doubt as
to what action Jesus would take.
When The Daily News came out that
evening, it carried to its subscribers a
distinct sensation. The presence of the
report of the prize6ght could not have
produced anything equal to the effect
of it's omission. Hundreds of men in the
hotels and stores down town as well as
regular subscribers eagerly opened the