The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-20
Submitted in The Tribune's Short Story Contest.
sy ERNEST L. sovARo.

Journalistic career and talked gaily OF
his plans. AS the party neared their
destination, Archer noticed the fever
ish look in his fathers eyes and his
fast and incessant talk. The home
trip was made without incident, how
ever. and Archer was glad when his
mother met them at the door.
But the worst was to come, for that
night. Mr.. Trevford became deirious
and u hasty examination by the doctor
who had been called, showed that
brain fever would necessitate every
rrecaution to be used to keep the sick
man quiet. As Archer busted his
brain during the remainder Of the
night about the welfare OF the Press.
he at last came to the conclusion that
II Belts did not show up on Monday
morning he would assume the editor
ship of the paper with the assistance
of Beebcc. He was quite dubious
about the task. but felt that he knew
the ins and outs of the business better
han a stranger, and as he thought
over the matter Sunday, his convic-
tons became stronger that he could
run the paper until his father would
be again able to resume his duties.
Accordingly on Monday morning Ar
the day passed pleased even himself
at the success he met with In dis
patching OF the matter coming to his
attention.
Rv Friday he had written six small
editorials. the column of personal
mention, all the local happenings and
the summary of the weeks news
while Bcnbee had written nearly col
n, ~ httY nfr,,s N1,c ty,In
the title of Bright and Breezy" and
his Press Pointers and an editorial
written in a happy strain on the
weather, filled another column.
As Archer had expected, Belts did
not turn up, and on Saturday he
learned that the editor of the Herald
was now Richard Belts.
The foreman Of the Press made up
the forms Friday night and found he
had enough. So it was with surprise
early Saturday morning that Archer
heard Leary the foreman. come into
the office and say "Nlr. Archer, we've
got a column to fill up yet"
why, how's that Leary?" said Ar
cher Didn't we cast up the forms
last night and find we had enough?"
Yes sir. know we did said Leary
nervousy. But Mr.. Wheaton has
left orders since hearing of the serious
illness of your father to have his ad.
stopped. You know he always run a
column Archer shut his mouth
tightly-"since his fathers illness-"he
saw now. "Well. Leary, I'll try and
see what I can do.
will it be all right if the forms are
locked up by 10 o'clock?"
"Why, YES sir" said Leary
Good! I'll begin right away. Send
for the copy in ten minutes"
When the foreman had gone away
Archer began vainly to think of some
thing to write. The space was on the
local page and it was imperative the
matter should be original. This
was to be his test number of the pa
per or otherwise he might have told
I.eary to chip matter from one of the
exchanges ard give credit. But all
such articles We're usually printed on
the outside pages, and already this
number contained a great suficiency
Of them. AS he sat gazing upward. as
if looking for inspiration. and violent
ly biting the pen between his teeth, a
thought finally struck him. Jumping
uE from his chair he paced the room
for few minutes and then sezing his
pen began to write with feverish
haste. He was ready for the cry
copy" and without looking up wrote
with his blue pencil over the top of
the page. "set in BREWER Then he
plunged into the second page. Three
pages We're finished when he struck a
snag in the form of his invention Civ
ing out. In vain he stormed and
rumpled his hair, and 1t was not until
the copy boy made his appearance
that he again set to work. So it went
for nearly an hour and Archer was
now thoroughly absorbed in his writ
ing. 1t was the first chapter of a
story he was writing to he
run in serial form. Already he
had planned his first "leave off"
But. alas' He was only half through
To this point when Leary again came
into the Office with the information
that there was not another line of
BREWER in the cases. And still there
was nearly a quarter of n column yet
to fill. The tears sprang to Archer's
eyes. 1t seemed as though all the an
noyances to come for years had been
on him at this one accession.
And he had fondly imagined that hav-
inG considered the idea of serial
story. All that was necessary to fill |
the column was ideas, and now to
think that he should he interfered |
with by such thing as insufficient |
type. Haven't you got anything |
nlse?" he asked seriously. mo sir"
was the reply. ''You see losing so |
many ads. ard filling tine places with |
reading matter has made big drain |
on the type-cases. The only Shng |
we've got is case of italics"
but it would not look very well to |
he We the same article set with two |
kinds of type" went on Leary, No! |
hats so. but will put the rest of my |
chapter for this week in the form of |
IN important letter that was found. !
Wouldn't that be all right?" Per !
'ectly SIR Leary, going back to the |
composing room. At that moment the |
copy hoy came In with sheet of |
'roof and Beehee at once commenced |
going over 1t. He had hardly read |
lalf way through when he jumped up
rom his chair exclaiming "where ,lid |
'ou get this, Archer? Its great" IT
I'M glad you like it" said Archer. "I
ried to be original and the story of
he Haunted House is the result"
1t was with sigh of relief that Ar
her saw the last number of the issue
an off, Taking one of the damp
heets, he ran upstairs and was soon
leeply absorbed in it. Hearing a
loise presently, he looked up just in
line to see Mr.. Bickford OF the Herald
tanding in the doorway. Good after
oon," said Archer. Take a chair"
"Guess l WILL" replied Blackford.
ave been to see your mother and she
ellis me that during the illness of
our father you have charge of his