The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-11-20

newspaper business that news is sell
dom got by searching. An able report
er might stayt out tomorrow to hunt
aimlessly for news and not run across
an item in week. But let him visit
police headquarters, where all the
crime of great city is chronicled, or
the courts Of justice, or shipping Of
fees, or the headquarters of any great
industry, and his search is likely to be
rewarded. But Robinson did not know
this. Besides, being unframed, he did
rot know what the word news" meant
In the vernacular. If he had run across
an item of international Importance, he
would not have recognized it's value.
Two days work along this line con-
vinced him of the uselessness of his eff
forts, and he became despairing.
Why was it, he reasoned to himself,
as he sat on the humble bed under the
roof, that he could not get chance to
show what he could do? And the next
day was New Years. What hallowed
memories were conjured up by that
name! They would miss him at the old
farmhouse in Cayuga county on the
morrow. He could not write home for
money, because that would be an ac-
acknowledgement of defeat. His relatives
expected great things Of him. And
there was Nellie, the blue eyed girl, to
whom he was a. veritable Sir Galahad
What would she say when she heard
that all those beautiful tales which he
read to her in the orchard had been re-
fused by every newspaper of standing
in New York? Then Robinson buried
his face in his pillow and went to sleep
hungry, for only 10 cents remained of
his 500
In the effort to dispose of his manu-.
script Robinson had visited every news
paper office in the city except one. This
newspaper, by reason of it's acknowl-
edged superiority over all the others,
had frightened the young author. He
did not have the confidence to think
that he could write anything fit for it's
columns. But now that he was liter
ally driven to the wall Robinson re-
solved to beard the Park row literary
lion in his den, and if he failed he
would go back to the farm and milk
the cows. His breakfast consisted Of
two rolls and a cup of coffee, leaving
him cash capital Of 5 cents. Before
starting on his forlorn hope he picked
out from among his manuscripts a
short descriptive sketch of a mountain
brook. It was the gem of his collec-
ton. In glowing language he had pic
tured the ripping cascades, the silvery
pools, the Kaleidoscope trout, the trees
Whispering overhead, together with all
the light and color of the woodland.
This was the little brain child upon
which he had expended more time than
upon any other. He was satisfied that
If it were rejected he could do no bet,
ter and that he was indeed a failure.
How gingerly he went up the staircase
leading to the editorial rooms! With
what timOrous glances his eyes roamed
over the dusty apartment which had
sheltered so many men of genius! And
his voice was scarcely audible as he
said to the Office boy:
Can see the managing editOr?
"Certainly, sir. Come right in.''
Wonder of wonders! A courteous
Office boy!
Shaking in every limb, he approach
ed the autocrat behind his rosewood
desk.
"Well, Mr.. Robinson, what can I do
for your said he cordially.
II called to offer short sketch for
publication in your paper" replied
Robinson in a voice strengthened by
his kindly reception.
"Ah, thank you" said the great man,
taking the manuscript from Robinson's
trembling fingers and thrusting it into
a pigeonhole. "Glad to get it, sir; glad
to get it. Always looking for new ideas
from you young men. Good day, sir"
The editor turned to his mail, and
Robinson walked down stairs with his
head erect and his shoulders squared.
He did not know that, even though his
sketch might be accepted, it would
probably be two weeks before it would
be printed, and then there would inter-