The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-12-02


nominated for mayor, the Banner had
bitterly opposed his election Rollins
was elected, but by the smallest ma
Jority of any mayor for years, and,
smarting under the blow of his pride,
he shortly after his election instituted
an Intellectual libel suit against the
Banner
Percy Powers thought Of it all as he
sat at his desk In the editorial rooms
of the Banner. Before him lay proof
sheet sent up by the night editor. On
the bottom was written:
Shall we use It as it is. amend or leave
out entirely? HARDY.
Mechanically Powers spread the sheet
out before him. The big black head
line stared at him-"Ready to Totter."
Powers smiled grimly and read the ar
dcle, an account of the crisis at the
bank-a little overdrawn and sensation
al, perhaps, but not criminally untrue.
1t would be the deathknelI Of the bank.
For moment Powers hesitated. Then
his face grew stern, and. seizing a pen
ell, he wrote under the night editors
words:
o. X. Run without change Above are
facts and legitimate news matter. We
are not responsible for banks condition.
A few minutes later the copy was in
the forms of the Morning Banner
1t was late, but Editor Powers still
sat in his chair. At last a way had
come for him to crush his enemy. Yet,
with his foe in his power, the satisfac-
ton of the victor is not always what
has been anticipated. Powers sat gaz-
ing absentmindedly at the wall, the
lines of care deepening on his face as
he half dozed.
A voice unlike that of any of his CO.
workers suddenly startled him. He
turned sharply. Standing within the
door was little girl of some eight or
nine years, warmly dressed, singularly
pretty and with an earnest air about
her.
"Can you tell me where l can find
Mr. Powers. the editor?" she asked.
"Who sent you here, and what on
earth do you want with the editor,
child?' said Powers curiously. Come
here and tell me. and maybe can help
you. Are you reporter with scoopT'
he added humorously.
whats a SCOOP she queried.
Powers did not answer, but took from
her crumpled note, over which he
bent wonderingly.
No name was signed. He needed
none.
You said once that you loved me above
all else in the world. If you can help me
now. do So for the sake of the one who
bears this. May God bless you and for
give me II in the past l was wrong and
you were right.
Powers sat twisting a rubber band
around his fingers. The little girl
watched him silently for awhile.
"Please, sir" she begged, Il was to
find the editor at once"
Powers gazed strangely at her for
moment The rumble of the presses
came up to him from below. He turned, Z
and the light fell upon face distorted
with conflicting emotions.
Come" he said, taking her hand. I
Down the dark corridor they went to
the night editors room, where the chief
and his assistant exchanged few hur- /
ried words.
Half the first edition is off the
presses now" said the night editor.
"Are we going to lose that much time
and paper, sir?"
Burn 'em up" said Powers shortly.
"Hold on; save me one. Hold the
forms for editorial and first pages"
"Was that the edltorT asked the
child as they passed out.
Powers carried her In his arms I'M
til they were at her door, Put me
down." she murmured. Il know how
to get In" J.
'Then good night" said Powers.
'"Tell your mother you saw the editor
and that he did thls"-he bent his
head and kissed her.
The cashier Of the Merchants and