The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-25

back from their assignments. were writ
Sng rapidly or humping on
sheir stories ON the typewriter
Two or three were .'up." and were group
"a IN corner laughing and talking
Nearly everybody in the room was smok
sng. and the atmosphere was filled witl
a blue haze, which ioated above th'
heads OF the reporters like halo, II sucf
q thing can be- imagined in connection
with a newspaper man.
Outside il was bitter cold. but inside
the local room II was warm as toast, su
that reporter coming in stopped mo-
ment at the door with gasp Of pleasure
Most OF the men were Ia their shirl
sleeves. Those who were stili writing
worked as if they had lost "A day once
snd were trying TO make Il up.
The telephone bell rang, and the city
editor was called 10 the phone. The re-
.,orters. scenting new assignment,
stopped a moment In their talk TO listen
10 the short. crisp answers OF their CHIEF.
"Yes.r Yes" Waterloo Place, YOU
sayf' Thanks. All right. I'll send a
The city editor ran his eye rapidly over
the men.
johnson, you upg"
'No, have this tax levy story TO
write set"
"Up. Mr.. fsdsons"
Regreffully Edison admitted that he
was.
-C,tiis North Is dead Just run out and
cover IT, Take Broadway car, and
win have a cab waiting for you at First
avenue. It's dashed incOnNenient time
OF night TO die You will have to hurry
20 make Il for the first edition"
The news editor. lately graduated from
the city desk. lounged into the room. lie
stopped before the city editor to ask,
mo. He had Stapleton's speech, but
ne has finished a."
The news editor beckoned Lawrence,
and the two disappeared into the office
OF Peyton. the managing editor. Mr..
Peyton skeiched the situation 10 him In
few sentences.
"A man named Dcspard was killed by
the electric cars this evening while on his
way TO our office. The man was drunk,
and they carried him to the police station.
The police surgeon found him quite dead.
Nobody knew him, but I'm his coat pocket
was a sealed communication TO the
Times Herald. That communication is
sworn statement, making the charge that
Governor Stapleton was at one time
convict In Arkansas You will go out TO
the home OF the governor with this type
written copy OF the statement and find
out what he has to say about II. You
may tell him that unless We get COM
plete and detailed denial from him, we
shall publish this IN tomorrow's issue of
the paper. Any evasion or attempt TO
throw you down will be futile. At the
same time make II clear 10 the governor
that whatever we do will be done with
out malice, and i'm the interest OF the
public OF course, / need hardly tell you
that this Will be the sensation OF the
year. You understand that we would not
have trusted another reporter I'm the Of
fcc with this matter, and that absolute
silence In necessary on your part.
As he turned into the street Lawrence
buttoned his ulster 10 the throat and
shfvered with the cold. for the thermom-
eter registered away below zero. Then he
ran for his car two blocks away. and
swung on the platform just as II started.
You just missed a ten minute wait.
my son." remarked the conductor gem
tally.
That's all right. A miss IL as good as
a mile" said Lawrence, as he settled
back comfortably In the seat. SO as to
sink his face far as possible I'm the
collar OF his ulster.
In few minutes the car turned away
from the brilliantly lighted business por-
tion OF the city into the residence section.
and began 10 empty itself into the de-
serted streets.
Lawrence found himself wondering II
the story he had just heard could he true
There was something OF the Bayard
about Governor Stapeton that preciuded
the ordinary cynical disbelief In his integ-
rfty which prevailed concerning most poll
iticians. Even his enemies conceded that
stapleton was honest He was a
tower OF strength politically. by
reason OF his integrity, his high
political ideals. and his belief In the
people. What Bob" Stapleton said ne
would do. that he would do.
The people knew this and liked him for
It, Lawrence predicted TO himself that II
6tapieton fell through this scandal II
would mean the defeat or the reform
party for many years. There was no 9th
or man who was strong enough Co hold
the warning factions together.
At sherman avenue Lawrence left the
car. He turned TO the south for block
~his footsteps echoing clearly from the
frosty pavement down tho silent street
Baye for single lighted room down
stairs the governors house WAS dark
Young IIarmsworth. brother-in-law and
secretary 90 the governor. opened The
door. He was nice looking young fel-
low, somewhat, short Of build. with an
eager. bvyish face.
II am reporter from the 'Times-Her-
aid. = explained l4awrepce 81 have com,
10 sec tht Oh iuiPpAt'ihh bASt
ness"
Sorry, bat he has just been called out
Of town. lie left not half an hour ago
Anything l can do for YOU Better come
inside it~ pretty cold out. isn't it?'
Lawrence followed Harmsworth into
che library. There ne called UP the new,
editor for further instructions. lie was
told that Peyton himself had already
started 20 the house OF the governor
having decided TO look into the AFFAIR fol
himself. The door bell rang as Lawrence
nut down the receiver and presently tn,
managing editor was ushered into th'
room.
.what want is dehnite answer q
very grave charge made against IN,
governor N may be that you are able 1,
xivo me the Information. even in his alb
sanec that will clear him." he was say
fnR 40 Harmsworth
And what r. this most serious charge ?
ersled fhe SECRETARY.
Il want 20 know where the governor
wss and what he was doing during IN,
year ss eaid Peyton. watching the othe
rran out ~ half-shut bat entirely watch
ful eyes
Hsrusvorth showed = face rrown sud
denly tepfe but ho answered with n care