The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-04
JENNIE BAXTER: JOURNALIST
1.-The Daily Bugle Misses a Hit.
Copyright. 1899. by the Au.hor.l

tion- Let him transfer little of his anx-
iety TO fear Of losing the $50 / want, If
possible. 10 publish this information with
absolute accuracy
is there any danger. Mr.. Hardwick. that
some of the other papers may get on the
track Of this?''
NO. don't think so: not for three days
anyway. If We appear too eager, this man
Hazel may refuse US altogether"
Very good sir
Miss Baxter heard the editor stop in his
walk. and she heard the rustling of paper.
as If the subordinate were gathering I'D
some documents or which he had been con-
sultinS his chief She panic stricken TO
think that either Of the men might come
out and find her in the position of an caves
dropper. so with great quietness she opened
the door and slipped out into the hall, going
from there to the entrance of the ordinary
waiting room. in which she found, not the
twelve men that the porter had expatiated
upon. but five. Evidently the other seven
had existed only in the porter's Imagination
or had become tired of waiting and had
Withdrawn. The five looked up at her as
she entered and sat down on chair near
the door. A moment later the door COM
municating with the room she had quilted
y
or three slips of paper in his hand and
quickly dismissed all five of the waiting
men. Then he turned to her.
Has your name been sent in MADAME
the young man said to Miss Baxter as she
rose.
Il think not answered the girl. Would
you take my card to Mr.. Hardwick and tell
him will detain MIN but a few moments?'
In short time the secretary reappeared
and held the door open for her.
Mr.. Hardwick was a determined looking
young man of about thirty-five. with a bull
let head and closely cropped black hair He
looked like a stubborn. strong wiled man.
and Miss Bakers summing up of him was
that he had not the appearance of one who
could be coaxed or wheedled into doing any
thing he did not wish TO do. He held her
card between his fingers and glanced from
it to her, then down TO the card again.
Good afternoon. Mr. Hardwickr' began
Miss Baxter. II don't know that you have
seen any of my work. but l have written
a good deal for some Of the evening papers
and for some of the magazines
Yes" said Hardwick, who was standing
up preparatory to leaving his office and who
had not asked the young woman TO sit
down. Your name is familiar TO me. You
wrote some months ago an account of
personal visit TO the German Emperor. 1
forget now where 1t appeared"
"Oh, yes." said Miss Baxter. THAT was
written for The Summer Magazine and was
illustrated by photographs
ct struck me-" continued Hardwick with
out looking at her, that it was an article
written by person who had never seen the
German Emperor but who had collected
and assimilated material from whatever
source presented itself"
The young woman, in nowise abashed.
laughed. but still the editor did not look up.
Yes" she admitted, that is precisely
how it was written. / never have had the
pleasure of meeting William III myself"
What have always insisted upon in work
submitted to me-" growled the editor in
deep voice. lis absolute accuracy. take
it that you have called to see me because
you wish to do some work for this paper"
You are quite right in that surmise also,
answered Miss Jennie. still, if 1 may say
so. there was nothing inaccurate in my arti-
Gle about the German Emperor My COM
pilation was from thoroughly authentic
sources. SO maintain it was as truthfully
accurate as anything that has ever appeared
in the Bugle.''
PERHAPS our definitions of truth might
not quite coincide. However, if you will
write your address on his card 1 will wire
you If / have any work-that is, any outside
work-which l think a woman can do. The
woman's column of the Bugle, you are
probably aware, is already in good hands"
Miss Jennie seemed annoyed that all her
elaborate preparations were thrown away
on this man, who never raised his eyes or
glanced at her, except once, during their
conversation.
IT do not aspire" she said. rather shortly,
ito the position of editor of a woman's col
umn. L never read a woman's column my
self. and, unlike Mr.. Grant Allen, l never
met a woman VINO did"
She succeeded in making the editor lift his
eyes toward her for the second time.
Neither do 1 intend to leave you my adj
drss so that you may send wire to me if
you think you have anything that you think
I can do. What / wish is salaried position
on your staff"
My good woman" said the editor briskly,
that is utterly impossible. / may tell you
frankly that don't believe in woman jour
nalists. The articles We publish by women
are sent to this office from their own
homes. Anything that woman can do for
a newspaper 1 have men who will do quite
as We'll, II not DSllSIs anu lHSiC are many
things that women can't do at all which
men must do. / am perfectly satisfied with
my staff as it stands, Miss Baxter"
For the third time he looked up at her.
and there was dismissal in mis- glance.
Miss Baxter said Indignantly to herself,
This brute of, a man hasn't the slightest
idea that I am one Of the best trained
women he has ever met"
But there was no trace OF indignation in
her voice when she said to him sweetly:
1--WE will take that as settled. But If for
some other paper, Mr. Hardwick, l should
show evidence of being as good a newspaper
reporter as any member of your staff, may
/ come up here, and, without being kept
waiting too long. tell you OF my triumph"
You would not shake my decision" he
said. But will see you again If you CALI
Thank you'll And good afternoon, Mr..
Hardwick am so much obliged to you for
conserving TO see me- shall call upon you
at this hour tomorrow afternoon"
There was something of triumph In her
smiling bow to him, and she left she
heard a long whistle of astonishment in Mr..
Hardwicks room. She hurried down the
stairs and TO her waiting cab.
Drive quickly TO the Cafe Royal" she
said to the cabman.