Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-08-23
! A Soul Above Leather J
By Edward Battwood.



zine he was out of college and
wanted to be a literary man. With
engaging frankness he told this
ambition to Mr.. Bland, the propri
etor, and Mr.. Bland smiled indul-
gently and said that his editorial po-
sitions were filled. The publisher did
not add that there was only one desk
in the editorial room, and that the
Open Air Magazine was to. be con-
Quoted chiefly for advertising pur-
poses.
Henderson had read about the value
of determination, and so he chung
faithfully to Mr.. BANDS side, and
became a nuisance to the promoter
of the new magazine. In order to be
rid of him, Bland turned him over to
Col. Terry, the head of the advertising
department..
Mr. Bland had done this sort of
thing before, and Col. Terry was
mad.
"The old man has showed another
kid onto me-" growled the colonel to
Jimmy Tate, his lieutenant, "and I'm
good and sick of it. He'll ruin what
little chance we have to make this
sheet go. He will be no more use
in here than piano player"
The colonel was about right. Hen
derson knew nothing of advertising
and cared less. Indeed, Mr.. Bland
had limited something about the po-
sition being merely temporary, and
so, when Henderson took his desk,
just outside Col. Terry's. gorgeous
private Office, he determined to spend
his time there in writing stories and
not to bother much about the sordid
business going on around him. He
was awarded the task of checking
space and seeing to the proofs, but
in a few days he succeeded in mix
ing things up in such a marvellous
fashion that his duties were trans
ferred to an aspiring stenographer.
The ignominy did not disturb him
in the least.
''This dude is too good for his job"
said Col. Terry.
Mr.. Tate winked approvingly.
''Guess we'll have to send him out
on the street, the chief continued.
''That'n take it out of him."
''Sure," assented Jimmy, grinning.
''Boy!" roared Col. Terry. '.Ask
Mr.. Henderson if he will be good
enough to step this way"
Mr.. Henderson was good enough,
and stepped accordingly.
''Mr. Henderson," began the colonel,
with impressive condescension, 'now
that your time permits you to take
up more responsible duties in this
department, have decided to in
trust you with an urgent mission"
cure some large advertising from the
leather trade. I want you TO go
through the district and interview
the leading firms"
Henderson's wandering eyes be-
came focused on the colonel's dia-
mond scarfpin. "What shall i say to
them?" he asked.
The manager coughed to conceal
his mirth, and Tate chuckled behind
a blotter.
81 leave that to your good bust
ness Judgment" replied the colonel,
solemnly.
'How many pages shall get. sir?"
he inquired.
Twenty" answered Terry, explo-
sively. ''That 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 Shaping his leg in
mute agony of merriment.
There amt 20 lines in the whole
Swamp" he gasped. Eve raked it
four times"
Henderson, unsuspecting and inno-
cent, was on his way to the narrow,
evA-smelling streets of the leather
district. He comforted himself by re-
fiecting that he might find some ma
serial for story, and he went into
the Office of Wallace & White with
the utmost unconcern as to the re-
suit of his visit there.
Young Henderson looked like any,
thing but canvasser. To the clerk
he presented his personal card, hav-
Ing no other, which gave his address
at the Harvard club. He was prompt
ly ushered into the presence of Mr..
White, who had a son trying for the
football team at Cambridge, and was
exceedingly proud of it. Henderson
shook hands cordially and sat down.
II am on the Open Air Magazine"
said he, with an apologize smile.
Mr.. White nodded politely. I'm
deed" he said. "You write up ath-
tetics,' I suppose-rowing football,
and so on?"
'Oh, yes!" replied Henderson. This
was splendid; the old gentleman re-
garded him as an author.
"And you've come to me for ma
terial," went on Mr.. White.
"Yes," said Henderson. ssBut not
exactly about athletics, this time
You see we're, going to have lot
about leather in the October number,
and"