St. Tammany farmer., 1901-08-17
The
Reporters Story
AM newspaper man-that is, I am

AM q newspaper man-that is, an
i employed on a morning newspape,
to write news, not love stories.
In my assignments I meet many
men and hear many strange tales
some true, but the majority not. But
surely the strangest Of all is that an
about to relate.
It is customary for newspaper men
to buy almost every afternoon paper
in order to familiarize themselves with
events that have taken place in the
time intervening between the previous
issue of the morning paper on which
they are employed and the following
one. Not that this has anything to
do with the story-except that it
serves to introduce one of the char.
acters. / always bought my paper
from one boy-"Jim" Taylor by name
and thus formed rather liking for
him, for he was always courteous
and dirty.
"Jim," had learned from him, was
an orphan and lived at the Newsboys'
lodging house. He had no care beyond
earning enough to feed and clothe
himself, and, of course, sufficient
amount left over for ticket for "de
gallery in the teayter," accompanied
by the traditional pint of peanuts.
In the two or three years I had
known "Jim" he had never been alb
sent from his post of duty at the cor
ner. But about two months ago he
was missing from his accustomed
''place of business" and although 1
made inquiries, could get no informa-
tion concerning him beyond the fact
that his companions hadn't heard
narthin' of him." So, after pondering
as to whether the little fellow had
committed criminal act and had been
sent to some institution or had been
run over by some vehicle and was per-
haps lying in hospital without rela-
tives or friends to care as to the result
of his injuries, and further inquiries
proving fruitless, the name of "Jim"
passed temporarily from my mind.
A week ago, upon going to the Office
to get my assignment" for the day,
1 found that opposite my name on the
book were these instructions: "See
Senator H in regard to the rumor
that he had been offered the pres
idency of the - national bank"
Going to the senator's house, my
summons at the door was answered
by rather bright-looking boy dressed
in the conventional blue suit with
white metal buttons, of whom I in
quired: ''Is Senator H at howell,
I'm blessed if this isn't little Jim
How in the world did you get here?"
At which "Jim' smiled very broad
smile and replied: "Yes, sir, the SEN
ator is at home. How did I get here?
Oh, the senator will tell you that if
he isn't too busy. Your card, please"
This was said in tone plainly in
dicating that he was to be treated in
a manner becoming his station as
door boy, and not with the familiarity
he had been accustomed TO as news
boy.
Ny card was handed him, and he re-
turned with the announcement that
the senator would receive me in his
study, and would ''please to walk in
The senator proved to be a man of
small stature, with clean shaven face,
and had altogether a boyish appear
,nce. After such formal introduction
customary to newspaper men making
themselves known to entire strangers,
boldly started in with: Senator, I
,alled to see you in reference to the |
'umor that you were offered the-oh,
you happen to have Jim Taylor in |
our employ? He and I are old ac-
I could not resist the temptation to
atisfy my curiosity on that score be-
ore attending to my official duty.
Indeed" replied the senator, II am
cry glad to hear it, for my wife and
think great deal of James, and are
lappy to do favor for any of his
riends. AS to how 1 came to employ
Jim,' as you call him, it is story well
worth the telling. in confidence, of
curse, although the joke was on me.
'.You see, about !: year ago 1 was
allied out west to attend TO some busi-
css concerning my committee. Con-
inuous travelling is not conducive to
a mans personal appear
nee, so you need not marvel that
yhen arrived in New York on the re-
1rn from my flying trip to Cincinnati
was covered with dust and was look
,g rather scedy. Indeed, ] was in ,
lch hurry to get to my hotel that J
paid no attention to my personal ap-
earance, and - my face was dust Il