The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-20

the last edition Of the Stan
hope Press had been run off
and the editors room which had been
filled with the noises coming up from
the presses in the basement was silent
now save for the chatter of the car
riers as they received their papers for
distribution. Two boys were seated in
the editors room this Saturday morn
ing. and as the number for the week
was now off their hands, the rest of
the day could be spent in inactivity
Il have my suspicious Of that fell
low, Archer" one was saying, land if
/ were YOU I'd keep my eyes pretty
closely on him.
Journalistic courtesy and all that
thing may be all right. but when it
comes to man like Belts being the
prime mover in the courtesy business.
and to paper like the Herald, I draw
the line. When did you say you en-
pected your father home?"
Tonight and ! think shall tell
him of Belts doings. Leary. our fore
man, told me this morning that we
very nearly missed our publication
day. because Belts loaned whole font
OF BREWER to the Herald people"
"He did. did he! Jimmy! The Herald
people will be asking the press to sus-
pend publication for few days. next
that they may get better foot-hold
in town.
The Stanhope Press was owned and
edited by Archer Trevford. sr.. and
was the Oldest established weekly
newspaper in Stanhope, Pa. The pres
ent proprietor had been in possession
only few months. having purchased
1t from its founder, and paying two
thirds cash for it. Editor Trevford
was a man Of literary culture and
good business tact. and at once pro-
ceeded to make live sheet out of the
steady, easy-going Press. Richard
Belts. the assistant editor under the
former management, had been re-
ta!ned. and it was of him that the
two goys had just been talking.
He was young from his appearance.
although very little was known of him
since his first arrival in Stanhope.
Attending strictly to his business, he
had won the confidence of Mr.. Trey
ford. who had now gone on an eXcur-
sion of editors to New York, leaving
Belts in charge of the publication for
that week. Archer Trevford, ir, was
the only son of the editor, while his
bosom friend, Allan Dorm. who had
just spoken his mind about Belts. was
the son of Lawyer Dorm. one of the
leading citizens of the town.
Two months ago, n stranger had ap-
peared on the streets of Stanhope, and
Saturdays Press had duly announced
that Mr.. Bently Bickford, of Boston.
was business visitor in town.
The stranger had several interviews
with the president of the local water
company and several of the officials of
the Cirard Saving bank, and at the
end of three weeks, the good people
of Starhope found another local paper
in their hands. having a flaring title
page. announcing that the Stanhope
Herald. publishing all the news, would
be published every Saturday there
after by the Herald Publishing Co.
The astcunded world of Stanhope then
looked on with evident satisfaction at
the efforts made by the rival papers
to "scoc,,'' each other. 1t was at this
time that Archer Trevford, jr., and his
chum We're aroused by the conduct of
the assistant editor. Dorm had bare
ly ceased speaking when Belts stepped
into tho room. Good afternoon, Ar
cher. How to do Dorm? How's every
thing?" said Belts fitting his hat on
the back of his head, and dropping
into chair where he began to run
his eye over some exchanges.
"All right. I guess" said Archer.
"But say, Belts. what provision have
you made for next weeks paper?"
why? What's that to you?" said
Betts. pursuing up his lips and COM
mencing to whistle, while he appeared
deeply absorbed in the paper before
him. Archer's face turned red and 1t
was with difficulty he restrained him
self. Stepping over to a position
where he could see Belts face. he
answered firmly. IT think it my bust
ness to look after my fathers interests
during his absence"
20 come now" exclaimed Belts
springing up. ~ don't propose to hold
myself accountable to an under age
son of my employer" and pushing his
hat firmly down on the buildingfeeugd
hat firmly down on his head he left
the Office and the building.
II believe he's gone over to the Her.
aid people sure this time" said Dorm
echoing the thought in Archer's mind
and deepening the look of concern on I
his face.
Don't you think the whole thing is
a scheme to cripple the Press as much
as they can?" suggested Dorm. Arch
ed did not reply but looking at his
watch, he remarked. 'guess we will
close up for today" and the two were
soon on the street. AS they walked
along, Archer suddenly grasped his
friends arm and said "Allan I am go
Ing to New York and see father, so
that II necessary he may bring an as
sistant editor to take Rett's place. |
Please tell mother, and with this was |
soon hurrying off. An hour later, he |
was entering the hotel where he knew |
his father usually stopped when in the |
city and was inquiring of the clerk J
Mr.. Archer Trevford was
there. Yes he is stopping /
here. A large party registered to-
gether" said the clerk. "Where can I |
lind him." said Archer. every doubt
ful," the clerk went on, II saw them
buying tickets for the ball game at
,ur news stand" Archer thought that
The game must now be over so he sat
1own he wondered why his father had
gone TO the ball game. He remem-
oered his mother saying that father
was run down" from the close COLI
ining work ne had been doing in COM
petinR with the rival paper. and he
thought perhaps the excitement would
'rove a benefit to him. AS time pass
ID Archer at last saw the familiar
'orm Of his father, who was in the
,enter of an enthusiastic party dis
,ussing the ball game.
1t was with surprise he saw his son.
md as Archer drew him to one side
IND told the story of Belts conduct,
lis face became very grave. II have
very confidence in Belts" Mr.. Trev-
ord said, "but know of an excellent