Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-25

Id don't care for its Influence. 1t real.
) has no influence with thcid.'
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 Il tender spot. Bartons pale
checks flushed, and he struck the table
with his ciinchcd fist.
"Bctter not tell Harris that! He has
an idea that his paper runs the town.
He thinks his editorials make public
sentiment"
Hes wrorg" John Gordon spoke
decidedly. Ills editorials have no such
power. They are rated along with the
rest OF the paper. The fact is the vel
low journalism works out its own de-
'struction inevitably. It's days are al
ready numbered"
our circu"tion is incr"aSing.'
'All the bigger fan when it comcs,'
replied John Gordon briefly. ANA then
they were both startled 10y Il voice from
the doorway OF the room adjoining.
Beg pardon. Barton. couldn't make
you hear though Knocked twice"
Barton turned his head ms a man
came into the room and exclaimed. "Nr.
Harris at the same time sending Il
questioning flash to GordOn. wonder
how much he hcard:'
Harris walked up to the table and
coolly helped himself to n cigar from
little Chinese pot and lighted it at the
| cigar jet.
Mr.. ,!ohl 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 ont very long
white hand. John Gordon took it, al
though instantly he felt a most intense
dislike Cor the man.
lie was of Il thin. wiry physique,
smooth faced. bloOdlcSs complexion,
straight lips and cold gray eyes. His
manner was perfectly self possessed,
and neither Gordon nor Barton could
detect any sign Oh his face that he had
overheard Il syllable of their talk be-
fore he entered. lie was faultlcSsly
dressed and had the general appear
ance of Il man who has exhausted a
large part Of his interest in life on ac-
count OF a large number of intense ex-
pcricnccs. At the same time there was
a serious alertness about him that was
/ very noticeable. lie was not blasc in
the ordinary use of that word. He evil
IDENTITY had boundlcss faith in himself.
John Gordon had 10 difficulty in telling
why the man produced such dislike
in him. 1t was because Of his absolute
cgOtiSm.
Mr. Gordon is my friend; the one
I mentioned to you the other day as
possible contributor in new depart
ment,' Barton said as Harris still re-
maincd standing near the table.
Harris looked at Gordon and said
carelesSly:
Il understand you are going TO ex-
pertinent down in the slums around
Bowen street"
Il may live there l 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 a hatred OF the idea of "eXper-
/ imontng' with the people
Harris walked over TO a chair at the
other end of the table. and after Il 81
lence which neither Barton nor Gordon
seemed inclined to break he said, lean
ing a little forward and speaking with
careful emphasis:
MIR. Gordon, | am prepared to make
you proposition that | hope you will
at Least thoughtfully consider. The
News now has a circulation of 100 900
copies q day. That means that pructi-
cally 300o,ooo people read it. At least
half the population Of the city read my
paper. 1t is especially true of the
wOrkingmcn, the poor and the people
of the street ana the shop. The boulc.
ward may not take the News. Grant
ed
Gordon, looking at the newspaper
owner, thought he could detect just Il
shadow of resentment under the APP
parent Indifference. "But the Stun
takes it and reads. I'd rather have the
Stun reader any time. The boulevard
does not make anything but itself, but
the Stun makes conditions. Now. then,
this is my proposition: VIII give you
the entire control Of page of the
News to write up the conditions 81 the
city where you expect to live O. work.
May ask where? Mr.. Barton has not
informed me"
II expect to live rs a resident in
Hope House"
"Good"' Harris exclaimed with an
eagerness that was unIn'stakablc.
You couldn't do better Hiss An.
drews of course has made her work
known everywhere. She has> been an
occasional contributor to the News,
You couldn't strike out on more pop
ular appeal than from that place as a
center. See here. Let me block out a
programme for n page that will set
this city to thinking rs it never thought
before"
He at once outlined series of sub
1ects for reform page from the social
settlement viewpoint which was sim
ply marvellous in its understanding of
the conditions and the needs. Barton,
with born newspaper mans instinct,
grasped the details with rapidity and
showed his interest by an occasional
interjection or hint that at once led off
into further possibilities Even Cor
don, with his growing feeling of rcpul-
sion for the man. which increased ev