The times., 1899-12-03
A LITTLE NEWSPAPER STORY.
The Young Man Who Made II scoop
10th Century Prosperity.

(From the Chicago Jomnal)
For a long time after Burridge got
scooped on that murder story and retired,
by request. from the staff Of the Star,
he had an opportunity 10 study such social
problems as: Can a man live on nothing
a week?' or Is food really necessary to
sustain Iife?"
He would have left town if he had not
been literally a broken, contrite man. But
he had not money enough TO buy a ticket
to Kankakee, although the last city editor
he interviewed on the subject of a job
advised him to go thereto the insane
asylum.
You'll never get anything here" ne
said, frankly. "A newspaper man who
falls down on big story once may as we'll
look up some other business. Good day
Burridge turned to go. There was a dis
tinct hardening in his bOylsh face.
I'm be in your position some time. old
man" he muttered. And then, Tll-TlI
make it easy for some poor chump that
fails as / did"
He met Briggs at the door
How are you, Burridge?' asked the
older man cordially. Anything turned up
YETI No? Well, don't give up or lose heart.
You'll strike something. Need any
Burridge shook his head. He was not
hungry enough to borrow money yet. Be
sides, he was young in the profession. He
felt the strong grip of Briggs hand for
a moment on his own, and a streak Of
warmth ran up his arm and took a dag
onal course across his breast TO his heart,
hndling a spark of hope there
IN astonish them at the Star he
said to himself, and | went leave this
town until / redeem my reputation as a
reporter by turning up a story that will
square me with the old man at the big
desk"
He felt happier than he had before for
weeks, and as though half conscious of the
cause he observed several times as he
walked along:
"Old Briggs is a good fellow"
1t was noon, ard he strolled down a
fashionable street. where his senses need
not be assailed by the vulgar odors of food
cooking. He had an appreciation Of stately
architecture, and it happened that as he
scanned u particularly fine residence he
saw a man creep out of an upper window
and make preparations TO descend to the
ground by means of a column on the side
Of the veranGa. He wore a furtiye and
desperate look in addition TO his conyen-
tonal robber attire. but his sweeping re-
connoissance did not take in the spectator
who had hidden behind a gate pillar. Bur
ridge. too, looked around hastily. There
was no one in sight-nOt even q Star
man, The boys heart thrilled with JOY
and he leaped the fence and ran TO the
place in time to take the burglar as he
came down, straight TO mis- reportorial
bosom. For a moment the man struggled
wildly desperately. But he was at a dis
advantage, and his arms were pinioned by
other arms young and suddenly as strong
as iron. Besides. the thief was white and
weak with Illness or fright. Burrdge's
soft heart quivered a little as he looked at
him: but he threw him on his back, just
the same. and planted resolute knee on
his chest.
DON'T" the man groaned and spasm
of coughing shook him.
IT'S all up with me- won't fight You've
got the best of me l reckon you've eaten
today"
"H-m-m," Burrdgs demurred slightly,
then asked Haven't you?"
The robber could not speak. Blood oozed
from his mouth and his captor bent over
and supported him on his shoulder until
a paroXysm passed. When he could find
voice he whispered:
IT'S a bag of diamonds-the folks are
gone-Tm dying" he struggled for
breath. and turned appealing eyes to the
reporters face. His lips formed the one
word: Pray:
Burridge understood. There was not time
for many words. He began the prayer in
the middle:
Forgive us our trespasses, as We for
give them that trespass against US
He will, old man. he whispered, inter
polating He Will, you rest easy"
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory. forever amen!'
AT 1870 o'clock Burridge was back in the
Star Office and in an hour more the story
of the diamond robbery, a tremendous
scoop was on the street.
Good work, my boy; we are proud of
you," said the chief. who had heard only
part of the story.
Did you recover the diamonds? 2"
Yes. sir" The chamois bag was cheek
and jowl with the pastepot or the copy
desk.
And you caught the burglar
Burridge nodded his head
Good! Did YOU hold him.
"No. sir, he" the young reporter
voice faltered little at the memory: He
got away