Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-09-22

ana II any OF the other boys come IN
with the same complaint buy their I'M
sold copies Is that fairT" he asked the
boys, who were smitten into unusual
silence 10y the unhcagd Of action on the
part Of the editor.
Fair! Well. l should But will
You keep dis mp VIII dis be con
tinual performance for de benefit of de
fraternity"
Mr. Norman smiled slightly, but he
did not think it WIS necessary to an
swer the question. He walked out of
the Office and went home. On the way
he could not avoid that constant query
Would Jesus have done it, 1t was
not so much with reference to this last
transaction as TO the entire motive that
had urged him on since he had made
the promise The newsbCys were neces-
sarily sufferers through the action he
had taken. Why should they lose money
by it, They were not to blame. He was
a rich man and could afford TO put
little brightness into their lives If he
chose TO do it. He believed as h. went
on his way home that Jesus would have
done either what he did or something
similar in order 10 be free from any
possible feeling Of injustice. He was
not deciding these questions for any
one else, but for his own conduct. lie
was not in position to dogmatlZe, and
he felt that he could answer only with
his own Judgment and conscience as to
his Interpretation Of Jesus probable
action The falling off IL sales Of the
paper he had in certain measure fore
seen, but he was yet to realize the full
extent of the loss to the paper If such a
policy should be continued.
During The week he was In receipt Of
numerous letters commenting on the
absence from The News of the account
of the prizefght. Two or three Of these
letters may be Of interest.
Editor OF The News:
Dear Sir have been deciding for some time 10
change my paper ! want journal that is up TO
the times. progressive and enterprisng, supply
ing the public demand at all points. The recent
freak OF your paper in rciu.lng 10 print the ac-
count Of the famous contest at the Resort has
decided me finally TO change my paper. Please
Here followed the name Of a business
man who had been a subscriber for
many years.
Edward Norman, Editor Of The Daily News, Ray.
mond:
Dear Ed-What is this sensation you have given
the people Of your burg? Hope you don Z intend
To try the reform business through the avenue
Of the press It's dangerous 90 experiment much
along that line. Take my advice and stick to
the cntcrprising modern methods YOU have made
So successful for The News. The public wants
prizehghts and SUCH Give it what 1t wants and
let some one else do the reforming business.
Yours.
Here followed the name Of one of
Norman : old friends, the editor of Il
daily in an adjoining town.
NJ Dear MI Norman / hasten to write YOU a
note oi appreciation for the evident carrying out
of your promise. 1t is splendid beginning, and
no one feels the value Of it better than ! DO.
know something Of what it viii cost You, but not
all. Your pastor, HENRY MAXWELL.
One letter V hich ne opened immedi-
ately after reading this from Maxwell
revealed TO him something Of the loss to
his business that possibly awaited him
M Edward Norman. Editor Of The Daily News:
Dear Sr-At the expiration ~ nay Advertising
limit you will DO me the favor not to continue as
YOU have done heretofore. j iuclcse check for
payment in full and shall consider my account
with your paper closed after date. Very truly
yours, -.
Here followed the name of one Of the
largest dealers in tobacco iii the city
He had been in the habit of inserting q
column of conspicuous advertising and
paying for il a very large price.
Edward Norman laid this letter down
very thoughtfully and then after mo-
meut he took mp copy of his paper
and looked through the advertising col
umns. There was no connection i'm
piled in tho tobacco merchant letter
| between tho omission of the priZetight
and the withdrawal of the advertise
ment but he could not avoid putting
I the two together. In point of fact, he
afterward learned that the tobacco deal
! or Withdrew his advertisement because
he had heard that the editor of TIE
/ News was about to enter upon some
queer reform policy that would be Coz
| tain TO reduce It's subscription list.
But the letter directed Norlnan's gt-
tentiop to tho advertising phase OF his