The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-12-26
MANKATO FREE PRESS.

reduy NUMBERED.
Our circulation is increasing
"All the bigger fall when it comes,''
replied John Gordon briefly, and then
they were both startled by voice from
the doorway Of the room adjoining.
beg pardon, Barton. | couldn't make
you hear, though l knocked twice.
Barton turned his head as man
| came into the room and exclaimed, "Mr.
Harris!" at the same time sending
questioning fash to Gordon. wonder
how much he heard?"
Harris walked up to the table and
coolly helped himself to a cigar from a
little Chinese pot and lighted it at the
cigar jet
"Mr. john Gordon, Mr.. Harris" said
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 a most intense
dislike for the man.
He was of thin, wiry physique,
smooth faced, 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 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 a dislike
| In him. 1t was because Of his absolute
| egotism.
"Mr. Gordon Is my friend; the one
| mentioned to you the other day as
| possible contributor In a new depart
ment," Barton said as Harris still re-
| NAMED 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. 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 hatred of the idea of "exper-
| imenting" with the people.
Harris walked over to a chair at the
| other end Of the table, and after a ST.
| lence which neither Barton nor Gordon
seemed inclined to break he said, lean
ing a 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 a circulation of 100000
copies a day. That means that practi-
caIly 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
| 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: I will give you
the entire control of a page Of the
| News to write up the conditions of the
city where you expect to live or work.
May ask where? Mr.. Barton has not
| informed me-"
81 expect to live as a resident In.
Hope House"
"Goodw Harris exclaimed with an
/ eagerness that was unm;stakable.
"You couldn't do better. Miss An
| drews Of course has made her work
| known everywhere. She has been an
occasional contributor to the News.
| ular appeal than from that place as
center. See here. Let me block out
programme for page that will set
this city to thinking as 1t never thought
before"
| He at once outlined series OF sub
jects for reform page from the social
settlement viewpoint which was SIM
| ply marvellous in It's understanding Of
| the conditions and the needs. Barton.
with a born newspaper mans instinct,
grasped the details with rapidity and
| showed his interest by an occasional
| intersection or hint that at once led off
| into further possibilities. Even Cor
don, with his growing feeling of repul.
sion for the man. which increased ev'
! cry minute, could not resist an admira-
ton for his great shrewdness and in
| sight. And all the time he was block
ing out the page Gordon thrilled at the
vision opened up of what might be
done for the people and by them if
once daily that was really theirs
lived it's life for theirs.
"Of course understand" Harris had
at last added, that all this will mean
tremendous amount of work. That,
is what daily paper means to every
body connected with it. But it need
not mean that you would have to give
up residence in Hope House. In fact,
1t would be better to continue your
actual touch with the district so as
to be able to give what you write for
the paper color. / also realize that
you have need of money to carry out
some of these plans. That is the rea-
son I stand prepared to make this
offer. If you will undertake this work,
will pay you $500 month and in adj
dition help carry out some Of these
ideas where money is needed don't
| care to say lust how much I'll give.