Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-11-14
GETTING AN INTERVIEW.
How q Wide Awake Cerrespopssens
Outvitted senator.

81 am one OF the few reporters who
ever succeeded In getting an interview
out of Senator -" said an old news
paper man. naming well known west
ern politician. "and l secured mine I'M
der very peculiar circumstances. L was
working on certain big newspaper up
I'm the northeast when the senator came
TO town, and the editor i'm chief himself
Instructed me to get talk out OF him
on the financial situation. 1 was q
new man. anxious to please. and de-
termined to bring In that story or per-
ish I'm the attempt. / knew the senator
was averse 10 talking. so didn't send
up my card. but waylaid him i'm the
corridor OF his hotel, and he turned me
down with Jolt that Jared my very
soul. The No. SIR that snapped out
of that thin Tipped. square cut mouth
of his was as chilly as a ladle OF liquid
air, and l realized fully that 1 was up
against it, as the saying goes.
MY next move was TO get a promi-
nent local politician TO introduce me
and say a good word in my behalf.
The senator cut him short. I've al
ready given this young man my an
swer,' he said. and I'd thank him not
TO modest me any further That was
certainly discouraging. but I didn't
give up. The senator was leaving for
Washington that night. and l learned
that he was going TO spend the after
noon visiting a relative who lived at q
small village about 80 miles from town.
AS a forlorn hope l got on the train
and went along. When we reached the
village, he caught sight Of me and IA
vored me with a scowl OF mingled
wrath and establishment. Then he hur-
ried away and put in several hours
cooling my heels at the corner grocery.
had to admit that the outlook was
disheartening.
The return train was an accom-
mediation and was due to arrive in the
city IN time to connect with the Wash
ingtOn limited. When we were within
ten miles of home, and | had practical
~ given up the chase. the ramshaclIle
engine ran off the track and the con-
ductor announced that we might be
stuck there all night. We were on
desolate. unsettled prairie. but when
the train came to a standStill l noticed
a countryman driving an old spring
wagon along nearby dirt road, and on
the impulse OF the moment l rushed
over and chartered the outfit for $40
to take me to town l was on the
seat. in possession. before the pas
sengers had recovered from their sur
prise and the first man TO reach me
was the senator.
Where are You goingT he asked.
To the city, 1 replied.
"'Wen, / want you TO take me along,
said he, beginning to climb in.
Sorry said I, but can't do 1T
"'Oh, hang IL allv he exclaimed. ex-
citedly. I've got to catch that trainl
How much do you want to carry me
TO the cityT
"'What about that interview 1
asked.
Luckily for me, the senator had
some sense of humor. and he smiled
grimly. All right he said. getting in.
Drive like thunder and fire away with
your questiOns.'
Il had what l wanted TO ask pretty
well shaped up In my mind and began
| Immediately. He answered freely
| enough until l came TO the attitude
/ Of the New York gold Democrats.
" That's a subject upon which I've
determined not to express myself he
said testify.
Very WELL said l. Whoa, there,
Dobbin! and l stopped the team.
What are you going to dor he In
CURED
I'm going TO give you an oppor-
tunity to reconsider I replied.
"'But. great Scott. man. I'll miss my
trainv he almost shouted.
That's your lookout, ! returned
calmly. I agreed TO take you along on
the express condition that you give me
an interview ON the financial situation
and the question asked is essential to
the interview
81 was considerably the biggest man
| physically or / think we would have
had war then and there AS IL was
the senator swore softly for a few mo
ments and then gave me my answer
1 Immediately whipped up the team
and we had no further trouble. l got
a first class talk and landed my pas
senger at the depot a quarter OF az
hour ahead OF traintime. We parted
good friends, and when we met again
year or so later. he shook hands cor
daily. Done anything more in tn,
highway robbery lineY he asked
New Orleans Times-Democrat.