The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-20

There was rivalry-but friendly rivalry
between the literary STATS of the two
smart halfpenny papers which daily APP
pealed for the SURFACES Of the public, and
whether you bought the Morning Mirror
or the Daily Courier" or both, you were
pretty certain 10 ind a good, readable ar
ticle or two. In addition TO the regular
news of the day.
Each, but again in a perfectly friendly
spirit of legitimate rivalry, alluded to the
other in terms OF scathing sarcastic po-
likeness, but did its level best to prevent
that other stealing march or getting an
inch ahead either in news or ideas, and
the reason was obvious TO all, for the lit
srary staff Of the Courier were male Of
the Mirror C'yhat could be more appro-
priate?) female.
The Daily Courier was the proud pos
session of Mr.. Rupert Arlington, and the
propretor-editor was, as his STAFF describ-
ed him, 'one Of the best"
The Morning Mirror" the rival in the
field. was owned by a titled lady, and
although she took no active part in the ad-
mlnistrative concerns of the paper. it was
an open secret that nearly the whole of
the literary stan were of the feminine per
suasion. and, moreover, were reputed to
be young and charming.
This fact was one that added piquan-
cy to the rivalry between the two journals,
for the very smart staff Of the "Da4ly
Courier were distinctly determined that
they were not going to be beaten by a Tot
of women although candor compelled
them 10 admit that at times the Mirror"
certainly did get very original specials -
and that some Of the members of its staff
Were not bad looking girls.
Whatever attributes were possessed by
the young and charming staff Of the Mir
ror, IL was certain that they could not
excel in esprit de corps or admiration for
their chief the staff of the Daily Cou-
rier,' and the good fellowship upon that
Journal had been born of and fOstered by
the open-hcarted nature of its proprie-
tor, Rupert Arlington. who treated every
one around him with a consideration
which endearcd each member to him per-
sorally and made the papers interests
and their own mutual.
He did not regard his literary staff as so
many pieces Of machinery going TO make
up a complicated wnolc. but looked upon
them as his friends, and was, in a word,
what they teTsely described him as ''one
of the best"
Il wanted but few day to Christmas
when he entered the offices late one after
neon with a CHEEKY greeting on his lips
and copy of the Morning Mirror" in his
hand.
Three or four Of the Courier men were
in AT the time, some turning out copy and
Others iGIing over pipe until the hour
for their evening eass sements arrived.
There was Jimmy Baxter the senior re-
porter; walter Rushton, one of the subs;
and the eleverest member Of the whole
staff albeit the youngest, irrepressible
Charlie Carroll.
The chief took a chair and In a genial
good-tempered voice began.
Gentlemen Of the Daily Courier " he
said. the Mirrors got splendid special
again. Upon my soul. ! can't help admir-
ing the little rag; but IL we don't look
smart. they'll get right in front % us.
les not the first time they've struck a
brilliant idea that we ought to have had
You mean the article On
Yes. Of course" he broke in, more
testify than was his custom, "of course,
and what we have to do is simply to show
them that the stan OF the Courier is a
mighty sight smarter than they are. Good
lord why the deuce didn't some of you
fellows think of the special they published
last week, Daughters OF the Great
City,"
The staff looked Bit glum. II was rare
indeed that the chief found fault, or. in
deed had any reason to do So but they
had TO acknowledge to themselves that
lately the Mirror" had been getting in
front of them, and that they had missed
some pretty obvious specials-that was to
say, pretty obvious when they had been
done, as one can always be wise after the
event.
wen have 10 do something big for our