Middletown transcript., 1899-12-16

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.
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
be so extraordinary that Clark could
not help expressing himself
''Do you mean that the paper is to
go to press without word of the prize
fight in itf"
"Yes; that's just what | mean. =
But it's unheard Of All the other
papers win print it What will our
subscribers sayf Why. it's simply =
Clark paused. unable to find words to
say what he thought
Edward Norman looked at Clark
thoughtfully The managing editor
was member of church of different
denomination from that of Norman s.
The two men had never talked together
on religious matters although they had
been associated on the paper for several
years
'sCcme in here Ainute, Clark. and
hut the door," said Norman.
Clark came in, and the two men faced
each other alone Norman did not speak
for minute. Then he said abruptly:
"Clark, If Christ were editing daily
paper, do you honestly think he would
print three columns and half of
prizefght in itf''
Clark gasped in astonishment. Final
" he replied. "No; don't suppose he
would"
"Well, that's my only reason for
shutting this account out of The News
have decided not to do a thing in con-
nection with the paper for whole year
that I honestly believe Jesus would not
do"
Clark could not have looked more
amazed If the chief had suddenly gone
crazy. In fact, he did think something
was wrong, though Mr.. Norman was
one of the last men in the world. in his
Judgment, to lose his mind.
"What effect will that have on the
papera" he finally managed to ask in
faint voice.
"What do you think 2" asked Edward
Norman, with keen glance
81 think 1t 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 a 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
It 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
page at least Surely you can't afford
to disregard the wishes of the public to
such an extent 1t will be great mis-
take if you do, in my opinion.
Edward Norman eat silent minute
Then he spoke gently, but firmly
"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 Jesusf
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 results2 In other words, do you think
men everywhere ought to follow Jesus
example as close as they can in their
daily hves2"
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
feasible2 Is it possible to make it pay 7
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"
"Do you mean that we can t run the
paper strictly on Christian principles
and make it succeedf"
eyes; that's just what l 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. I 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 ini''
''It does not There is plenty of good
material to take its place. and you
know what it is.
Clark hesitated
"Are you going to. say anything
about the absence of the reportS"
"No; let the paper 60 to press as II
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
ard disgust, but with it all was feel
ing of growing wonder at the sudden
change Of motive which had entered
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