Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-26

had added So a bank teller had changed II
into two eagles to facilitate rapid handling,
and the two had laid the plot and ambushed
Groves. AS Dan rode up the street ON the
car and waved back at the astonishef
Groves, dumb on the corner, Mac stood
looking on through the glass doors Of the
cigar store across the street. Fingering in
| his pocket, he surprised a quarter he did
not know he had Promptly buying a TEN
cent cigar, he sharpened his lead pencil
and was away on the hunt for another
story.
Although Groves found no work. nor even
encouragement that day. there was huge.
though subdued, rejoicing in the sick room
snat night; Dan was Landed to the skies
cracked. smoky ceiling, while Mac was
roundly scored But such is the way OF the
world; and to strike ones best friends amid
mankind
The next noon, when Mac walked into the
Record local rooms, he found Martin talk
Ing with Kilborn of Calcutta. Martin intro
duced them:
Mr.. Kilborn, this is the gentleman who
interviewed you. Doubtless you don't have
to be reminded Of that, however, for, of
course. you remember him." The CLEAN of
intelligence between the East Indian and
the reporter was lost on Martin.
Mr.. Martin, want to say right here
that this gentleman Is one of the best
newspaper men in the world. He is an
honor to your paper. VIII you have lunch
with me?" he added to Mac.
Now. Mac, being a typical reporter. was
always empty, and he accepted with alac-
rity Out they went together. In Caesars
cafe. over meal that Mac still measures
all others by, kilborn talked long and
freely.
Why, young man. that story Of yours
copied Of whole cloth as 1t was, not a
word of actual truth in it, has set me to
thinking. When read 1t there in the
FOUNDERS house, in Pittsburg, with all those
other reporters standing around, 1t flashed
on on me II, that here was the chance for a for
tune That's why confirmed the story as
did. l have tea interests in India; that
because Of this article and the advertising
II mas given me, can develop into some
thing wonderful. Not the highly colored
article you romance so cleverly about, but
really legitimate new kind of tea I'm
interested in shipbuilding only in a small
way, anyhow, and we'll let that go If 1 can
terprising American young fellow to help
me push it. viii you take the job? There
is fortune in it,
Mac slowly lit the 25-cent cigar the
waiter handed him.
How much capital have your" he ask
ed cautiously. How much is there in 1t
Tor me to start with?'
None. and practically nothing-only your
expenses. l have the tea: that is l have
the land for it and the new variety, but
little or no cash. 1 want you to find that
for me here-the capital
Mac laughed outright at the idea of him,
the alWays-broke Of the force, raising cap
1tal to introduce a large tea plantation in
India to the western world.
Many thanks Mr.. Kilborn, but I'm not
your man. I'm no business man-Im a
newspaper reporter. The two are differ
emit If this pipe story has made your
fortune in the future, in tea, it has made
mine in the present in the newspaper bust
ness. I've had twenty offers since last
night, here in ST. Louis and by wire. The
record doubled my salary last night Next
week Crawford, our managing editor goes
to Chicago, Martin takes his place, and I
take Martins on the city desk. But 1
know of just the man you want Not with
q pencil shaving as reporter but he is
just the man you want; has the ear and
the confidence of the whole st. Louis bank
ing crowd; was the Times business and
real estate reporter for two years-even if
he did get wrecked on the hotels-and can
interest capital in your scheme If anyone
can. Beside. he doesn't drink. and is hon
est beyond question. His name is Groves.
Malt! In send messenger boy for him.
ne is only three blocks away. and I know
Just where he is at this hour Pomp. pull
that box for messenger, will your
All this occurred ten years ago Today
mac Is city editor of the Times under
Flsher, managing editor. He is the same
Ola Mac Yesterday he borrowed a dollar
from Moser his best reporter. and then
sent him down to the union station to see
MT: hHborn, senior member of the multi
million dollar tea house of "Kilborn &
Groves Bros. of Calcutta. San Francisco
and New York" Mr.. Kilborn was nass
ing through ST Louis in his private pS ear
the Dreamer" and Mac wanted a COL
umn interview and a picture The intro
self. min