The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1901-08-15
A Soul Above Leather
by Edward BaituOod.
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VNTHEN Henderson asked for .
Wv place on the Open Air Maya
zine he WAS ON, Of college and
wanted to Doe literary man. With
engaging frnuInrss he told this
ambition TO Mr. Bland, the propTi-
,tor. and Mr. Bland smiled indul-
gently and said that his editorial po-
,itiona were hllrl. The publisher did
not add that there was only one desk
n the editorial room, and that the
Open Air Magazine was 10 he con.
luctcd chiefly for advertising Pur.
poses.
Henderson had read about the value
~ determination, and 30 he chung
faithfully 10 Mr. BANDS side, and
became nuisance TO the promoter
IT The new magazine. In order TO be
rid NJ him. Bland turned him over 10
~ol Terry. the head Of the advertising
department
Mr. Bland bad done this sort 81
thing before, aud col Terry was
mad
"Thc old man has showed another
Kid onto me- rrovlrd the colonel 10
Jimmy Tate. his lieutenant, "and I'm
good and sick ~ il. He'll ruin what
little chunrc We have 10 make this
sheet GO Re will be no more use
in herr than piano player"
The ruloncl was about right Hen
d,r-pu knew nothing Of advertising
and cared less. Indeed, Mr.. Bland
had limited something about the po-
sitinu being merely temporary, and
40. WHEN IIcudcr an took his desk,
Just outside Col Tcrr,'s gorgeous
private Office. be- determined to spend
his tim, there 800 writing stories and
not 10 bother much about the sordid
business going on around him. He
was awarded The task Of checking
space and seeing TO Tho proofs, but
In a few days be succeeded in mix
ing things up In such marvellous
fashion that his duties were trans
fcrrcd 10 an aspiring stenographcr.
The ignominy did not disturb him
In the least
"rhis dude r. too good for his job"
said Col Terry
Mr. Tate vinkcd appro'ingly.
"Gucss WEN have 10 send him nut
on the street." the chief continued.
"That'I take It out Of him"
''Sure." asscnted Jimmy, crinning.
"Boy'" ruarcd Col. Terry. ASK
Hr. Henderson II he will be good
enough to step this way"
Mr.. Henderson was good enough,
aud stepped accordingly.
mir. Henderson," began the colonel.
with impressive condrsccnsinn, NOW
that your time permits you 10 take
up more responsible duties in this
department. | have decided 10 in
trust you with an urgent mission"
I'VE are anxious" said he. ito Sc
cure some large advertising from the
leather trade. want you 10 go
through the district and interview
the leading firms"
Henderson, wandering eyes be-
came focused on the colonies dia-
mund scarfpin. what shall say 20
them he asked.
The manager coughed 10 conceal
his mirth, and Tate chuckled behind
a blotter.
II leave that to your good husl-
ness Judgment" replied the colonel,
solcmnly.
How many pages shall ! get, sir7'
he inquired.
Twenty" answered Terry, explo"
siyely. "Thnt Is all we have room
for. You might tell them that we
shall have 20 leather pages in our
October number"
Woodworking" said Henderson,
and walked out.
Jimmy Tate was slapping his leg In
q mute agony of merriment.
There amt 20 lines In the whole
swamp" he gaspcd. "I've raked !,
four times"
"I know It," said Col. Terry
"we'ye got nothing to lose in send
ing that young jay around. In the
meantime I'll speak To Bland, and
have him fired. He's useless. What
shall snyg How many pages shall
get?' Great Scott! what do you
think Of him. ch?"
"Say. but this viii tickle the boys,"
exclaimed Jimmy, and he went out
TO spread the coloners wit among
the other solicitors.
Henderson, unsuspcctinT and inDo-
cent, was on his wny TO the narrow,
cyli-Emriling streets OF the leather
district. He comforted himself by re-
fiecting that he might find some ma
terial for n story. and he went into
the Office of Wallace a White with
the utmost unconcern as TO me re-
ault of his visit there.
Young Henderson looked like any
thing taii n canvassrr. To the clerk
he presented his personal card. hav-
ing no other. which gave his address
az the Harvard club. Ee was prompt
iy ushered into the presence OF Mr.
White. who had son trying for tho
football team nj Cambridge. and was
exceedingly proud OF II. Henderson
shook hands cordially and sat down.
FL am GA the Open Air Magazine"
said he. with an apologetic smile.
Mr. white nodded politely. az
deed he said. "You write mp ath-
lesics. sappose--rowing. football.
and 20 on?'
.oh. yes." replied Henderson. This
was Hpiendids the old gentleman re-
garaed him ss sls author.