Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-17

every day."
"Yes, think Of it!' exclaimed John
Gordon. Think of the stuff they read
that is untruth and exaggeration and
hysteria about matters that are Of no
value. A column to Toy DogsT kept
by a rich woman who spends enough
money on them to save the lives Of a
hundred babies! 1t is this sort Of thing
that makes anarchists and criminals.
All Harris wants out of reform page
Is to advertise the paper. I'm almost
sure of it."
"Probablyw said Barton dryly. "At
the same time you can be getting in
your reform work through q paper
that is read by the very people you
want to help"
"But it is not read nor believed in by
the very people who have 1t in their
power to help the people. David, the
best people in the city don't care for
the News. They laugh at its editorials
and don't care for its influence. 1t real.
ly has no influence with them"
For the first time David Barton
seemed disturbed. The frank criticism
of his friend concerning the News In
respect to its printed matter had NOT
moved him. But this last statement
touched q tender spot. Barton's pale
cheeks flushed, and he struck the table
with his clinched fist.
| Better not tell Harris that! He has
an idea that his paper runs the town.
He thinks his editorials make public
sentiment"
Hes wrongw John Gordon spoke
decidedly. His editorials have no such
power. They are rated along with the
rest Of the paper. The fact Is the yel-
low journalism works out its own de-
struction inevitably. Its days are al
ready numbered"
'Our circulation Is increasing"
"All the bigger fall when 1t comes"
replied John Gordon briefly, and then
they We're both startled by voice from
the doorway of the room adjoining.
BEG pardon, Barton. I couldn't make
you hear. though knocked twice"
Barton turned his head as a man
came into the room and exclaimed, "Mr.
Harris" at the same time sending q
questioning fash to Gordon. "Wonder
how much he heard"
Harris walked up to the table and
coolly helped himself to cigar from a
little Chinese pot and lighted 1t at the
cigar jet.
"Mr. john Gordon, Mr.. Harris" said
Barton. who had fully recovered his
usual Indifferent attitude by this time.
"Glad to meet you, Mr.. Gordon" !"
said Harris, putting out a very long
white hand. John Gordon took 1t, al
though instantly he felt most intense
dislike for the man.
| He was of q thin, wiry physique,
smooth faced, a bloodless complexion,
straight lips and cold gray eyes. His
manner was perfectly self possessed.
and neither Gordon nor Barton could
detect any sign on his face that he had
overheard a syllable of their talk be-
fore he entered. He was faultlessly
dressed and had the general appear
ance of q man who has exhausted a
large part of his interest In life on ac-
count Of a large number Of intense ex-
periences. At the same time there was
q serious alertness about him that was
very noticeable. He was not blase In
the ordinary use Of that word He evil
IDENTIFY had boundless faith in himself.
John Gordon had no difficulty in telling
why the man produced such dislike
in him. It was because Of his absolute
egotism.
"Mr. Gordon is my friend; the one
l mentioned to you the other day as a
possible contributor in a new depart
ment," Barton said as Harris still re-
mained standing near the table.
Harris looked at Gordon and said
carelessly:
81 understand you are going to ex-
pertinent down in the slums around
Bowen street"
81 may live there. don't know
about experimenting" said John Cor
don coldly. He was rapidly beginning
to have Miss Andrews dislike Of the
word "slums" as he had already grown
to have hatred Of the idea Of "exper-
imenting" with the people.
Harris walked over to q chair at the
other end Of the table. and after ST.
lence which neither Barton nor Gordon
seemed inclined to break he said, lean
ing q little forward and speaking with
careful emphasis:
"Mr. Gordon, am prepared to make
you a proposition that hope you will
at least thoughtfully consider. The
News now has circulation Of 100000
copies day. That means that practi-
cally 100000 people read it. At least
half the population of the city read my
paper. 1t is especially true Of the
workingmen, the poor and the people
of the street and the shop. The boule-
ward may not take the News. Grant
ed"
Gordon, looking at the newspaper
owner. thought he could detect just a
shadow Of resentment under the ap-
parent Indifference. "But the slum
takes it and reads. I'd rather have the
slum reader any time. The boulevard
does not make anything but itself. but
the slum makes conditions. Now. then.
this is my proposition: will give you
the entire control Of page Of the
News to write up the conditions OF the
city where you expect to live OF work.
May ask where? Mr.. Barton has not