The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-16
REPORTERS DIsAPPoINTMENTs.
An Ambitious Young Person Rudely
Awakened from His Dream.

For years a young man who recently fin
lshed his high school course had cherished
a desire to become a newspaper man, and
often while at a recitation his teacher sud
denly aroused him from dream Of jour
naltstic fame to the startling fact that he
had failed. This ambitious lad had made
several attempts to land" on one of the
daily papers, but all efforts had met with
failure. However, he was persevering, and
the kindly answer of the city editor who
always promised the first opening did not
dampen the young mans spirits.
At the end of the school term he realized
that the time was now ripe for him to Sc
lect his vocation, and so he decided to visit
a newspaper Office for the last time. Some
how he felt more sanguine than ever be-
cause he was now reinforced by the di-
ploma from high school. And the hopes
Of the late student were not in vain. He
was told that he might cover" the meet
ings of the Acton Park assembly: Only
those that have experienced the feelings
OF one who has been given a place on a
paper can imagine the sensation of the
young man as he left the office thinking
of the time when he could read his own
to report on July IA
Last Sunday afternoon the new-fedged
reporter walked into the sanctum of the
city editor and inquired for instructions.
He was informed that he had better run
down TO Acton on the following day and
secure about half a column of advance
stuff for the Tuesday paper.
The coming journalist inquired about the
trains and found that he could go at p.
m. and have half an hour at the park
and get back at $40 in plenty of time to
write his story. The day passed slowly, but
the reporter did not waste his time. Bright
and early ne arose to begin his days work.
First he read the morning papers carefully.
Next he purchased a dozen pencils and
sharpened all so he would not run out of
ammunition. A pocket dictionary, foun-
tain pen and a large roll of copy paper
completed the reporters supplies" Thus
armed and with a newspaper sticking out
OF one pocket the new Journalist went to
the station.
Although much too soon for his train, he
did not mind. and easily passed the time in
walking through the depot, confident that
all eyes were upon him and that every one
knew he was reporter AT last the train
came in and the newspaper man boarded it.
The trip to the park was devoid of incident,
and in a few minutes the brakeman an
nOunced Acton Park. This caused the heart
OF the reporter to fiutter, and he was soon
inside. Not many persons were to be seen,
and the place was nearly deserted. A few
cottagers were all that the newsgatherer
could find, and so he decided to get all the
information possible from the campers.
He told that no officials of the park
We're on the grounds, so he decided 20 make
the target for news. One woman espe-
cially was very talkative, and it was not
long until the young man had the history
of every building on the grounds and much
other important information, such as the
kind of trees predominating. the quality of
the drinking water and facts of a similar
character.
After questioning his companion closely
elicit any more information the reporter
walked back into the park TO see the
grounds and tabernacle. He had not seen
the other part of the grounds and he also
wanted to get a description of the taber-
nacle. Besides he did not think il right to
| describe thing which he had never seen.
| The new reporter left the woman who had
| proved such a fountain of knowledge and
went TO the tabernacle. Pencil and paper
III hand he took many notes of the sur
roundings and inwardly remarked several
| times that his success was now assured
| So deeply was he absorbed in his work
and so fast had the time slipped away that
| the newspaper man forgot about the train
| until he heard il whistle announcing the
| fact that he was left behind. Hurryine
| back TO the depot he asked if that was the
last train and TO his great astonishment
Visions of calamity now crowded upon
| the reporters mind. When his success
seemed certain all was lost! Tomorrow a
| representative from another paper would
| get all the news he had secured and his
scoop" would fade into nothing more thar
| the city editor expected of him. The ambi-
| son as he sat meditating in the little
wooden depot. After a few moments of
| careful thought he arose. and putting his
notes in his pocket, started down the rail-
/ road track.
About 10 o'clock that night the city editor
| was surprised 10 see his new cub walk
| into the office and put a large batch OF
| copy on his desk. The author of the writ.
| ing did not wait. The editor expected tc
/ find the story of some big happening al
/ Acton. but was surprised to read of the
/ kind of water al the park and many other
! such items. An elaborate description Of
| the grounds and tabernacle also took mr.
much space in the 'write-up." The vOune
/ reporter awoke early the following morn.
| ing, and although very tired, he dresssec
/ hurriedly and eagerly sought the mornjne
/ paper, fully expecting to find a column
| about Acton and just as he had prepared
| IT, However. he found a very small mote
| saying that the programme would begir
/ that day. Very much disappointed the
| young man with journalistic intentions sal
| down and wrote the editor that he believed
| he would not be a newspaper man but
would look for some other kind of work