The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-08-01
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! MARJORIE'S ]
/ CHANCE . . {;
< ...... By r. G. BUTLER
...... BY R. G. BUTLER
COPYRIGHT, 1902, By r. G. BUTLER

tlIue, IL you care 10 SeIlu us
anything we shall be glad to
read it."
The managing editor swung his chair
around and picked up his newspaper.
Evidently he considered the interview
ended.
"Will you print anything send"
asked the girl eagerly. "What COM
pensation do"-
"We don't compensate, we pay" said
Mr.. Hicks sharply, swinging around
again. 1--WE haven't time to compen-
safe. Remember that please, in writ
Ing for The Globe; say pay instead Of
'compensate'-it's better, being shorter.
Then-yes, We'll print anything you
send us that is good, and what we
don't print We'll keep for you till the
end of the year. Good morning"
1t was then nearly o'clock, but Mar
jorie Russell was so confused by the
unusual experience Of interviewing an
editor and applying for work that she
answered dutifully, "Good morning" I"
and went away. She found her way
half mechanically through the dingy
room, between rows of desks, and down
the crooked staircase until she stood in
the glass storm door, the only modern
appearing part of the old newspaper
building. There she stood for a few
minutes to get her bearings again.
1t was Marjorie Russell's first trial at
"entering journalism" meaning news
paper work. Before she and her BROTH
err came to the city she had indeed writ
ten for the weekly paper in their town.
but that she had done "for fun" Now,
however, she was anxious to do real
work for real money. Uncle Ben had
died, leaving his affairs involved. Aunt
Sina knew nothing of business, and, to
crown all, her brother Billy was in bed
with hip trouble that promised to
be serious" So in desperation Mario
rie looked about for something to do,
and, happening to pick up an old copy
of the New Carthage Palladium, where
in she saw one of her own contribu-
tions, she thought of what she called
Journalism" That was said to offer
to a beginner more than any other pro-
fesson. and Marjorie had read that it
was destined to be 'woman's great
field" So she had bearded a newspa-
per lion in his den and now stood think
ing over her audacity and her escape.
If she did not get all she had hoped
for, she had been encouraged. At least
she considered the suggestion that she
should return In two weeks as encour-
agement. And the request that she
should write for The Globe? That was
almost an offer of work! So she cross
ed 1.-The park" and gained small foot
hold and part of a strap in crowded
cable car and on the trip up town plan
ned how she would write an article
that evening. send it off at once and
perhaps see it in the paper the next
morning.
But she had no chance to write when
she got home. Going to her brothers
room. Billy greeted her with a shout.
''I'm glad you've come. Madge." he
cried. "You know that old land title
suit Of fathers? Old Hubbard, who
was interested with father, telegraphs
from West Capua that it's been re-
opened and comes up on Monday. He
wants me to come on with some memo
randa that father had. Fancy me in
Capua. not to say West Capua! I'd
like to get out Of the house even to go
there"
"Has the doctor been in today?" ask.
ed Marjorie
mo; but don't worry. I can't go,
that's fat; or rather / am. But you
know as much about the case as do,
so you'll have to co.
"Oh. Billy" sighed Marjorie, 'T won't
have chance then to write an article
for The Globe"
You won't tonight. Madge. I'm sor-
ry. you poor little journalist, but you'll
find another chance. or If you don't you
must make one" And he began to dis
cuss the suit, producing papers and
memoranda as he talked.
"The worst of 1t is" he continued,
you'll have to go tonight; the Sunday
train doesn't connect"
Marjorie knew the importance of the
matter. The court sat in West Capua
only twice each year. and If the case
was not tried now it would have to
wait another six months certainly and
perhaps more. No; the article must
wait-the law had right of way.
There was no money in her brother's
or her own purse for luxuries, so Mar
jorie. feeling very forlorn. settled her
self in the seat of day car of a
through express prepared for an up.
comfortable night. West Capua waa
| two-thirds of the way across the state.
She would have eleven hours of travel.
ing. even If she got there on time.
| AS she was making herself comforta.
BILE for the night she saw young man
pass through the car whose face seem
ed familiar. At first she could not
place him. but at last she remembered
| that she had seen him at The Globe
office that afternoon-a reporter; for he
had been writing at desk near Mr..
Hicks.
"Hes travelling for the paper"
thought Marjorie. HE goes in the
sleeping car. Well. shall do that some
day. even If don't travel for the pa.
per-" And she drew her ulster around
her. settled her handbag as pillow q
little less uncomfortably and went to
sleep.
1t was nearly IL when she woke
again.
y wonder where we are" she said to
herself. 81 wonder IL we're on time.
don't need to get to West Capua until
o'clock. think I'd rather spend