Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-04-04
THE YOUNG
REPORTERS
DILEMMA.



with his accustomed colorless breyity.
without CHANGING up from his desk. Il
want this story in BY 3 O'Clock. He
pushed a slip OF paper across his desk
almost instinctivcly in the direction Of
the young reporter and promptly sub
merged his identity in the ever-present
problem of news values.
Sheridan rose from his seat al the re-
po-ters' table, and. crossing the ROOM
picked up the bit of paper. II was IN
easy assignment. being merely an in
teryiew with a charming young society
woman concerning he. a:ieged engage
ment 10 an English duke. but the ath-
Ietic young reporter suddenly turned
white and leaned heavily against the
editorial desk for support.
The city editor. dimly conscious that
something was wrong. came TO the sur
face and realized that instead of a
banging of a door, followed by the al
sence of Sheridan. the said Sheridan
remained leaning heavily against the
editorial desk.
"I can't take his assignment" he
falte-ed at length.
why not?" asked his chief in aston
ishment.
Because used to know Miss Win
terton," he answered with difficulty.
Then so much the better for the Ar
gus" said the city editor smiling. you
seem TO be just the man for US.
she was once a very dear friend OF
mine" went on Sheridan in low tone.
and You must see how impossible 1t
would be for me TO go to her on such
an errand. I can't do il, that's all"
The city editor sighed deeply. and
emerged from his flood of items. He
looked the young man squarely in the
eyes. II was crisis for which he was
prepared sooner or later in the case OF
a novice. Usually he said: Il don't care
a hang IL your father was the car OF
all the Russias. You've got to sink your
identity when you enter this Office. Try
to forget that once you were your faith
er's son, and remember with all your
soul that you're only a reporter on the
Daily Argus"
This useful advice was followed eth
er by an emphatic slam of the door as
the young reporter began to sink his
identity in that of the Argus. or by an
immediate resignation couched with
cold civility. But this time. glancng
up at the handsome. refined face re-
gard;ng him with such frank distress
and perplexity. the city editor said
quite gently for him who was wont
to growl as the bear: You know. Mr..
Sheridan. We news-reporters are oblig-
ed TO belong TO the neuter gender"
Although a self-made man himself.
and thoroughly proud of the fact. the
city editor suddenly experienced feel
ing akin to compassion for young
Sheridan, whom an unexpected furry
in Wall street had robbed of his prince
inheritance. II occurred TO him that
possibly the struggle of an impoyerish
cd millionaire might offer difficulties
even more Overwhelming than those of
a man accustomed TO hardships from
his birth.
Suddenly. without a word. Sheridan
turned and left the room. AS the door
JdGHGA EC4iAiid llA4lr kHF CGlSOl Sam
down again in his items with sigh of
relief that his most promising report
er had not given in his resignation.
The fco;man smled broadly as he an
swered the bell for Sheridan had been
great favorite with the WintertoH
servants. but the young mans face was
h. 81
Please tell Miss Winterton that a
reporter from the Daily Argus wishes
10 interview her
The footmans smile widened into an
instantly suppressed grin as he listen
ed 10 this message. he recalled the day.
not so very distant. when the young
millionaire had driven UP in state TO
the door, and. pressing a gold piece
in his hand. had hidden him tell his
mistress that a detective would have
speech with her al once upon import
mt business. Later. when he was serv-
Is the coffee in the drawing room. he
ID overheard Miss Marion telling her
her about an exquisite diamond ring
ich an unknown detective had found
AhoAs ., anu TtcOSulZeu as UeTS Uy
IN OF its surprising beauty: where
:. Wintsrton mad been much mys-
until the young girl laughingly
xplained. and showed him the
nj bauble sparkling on her fin
II doesn't prove to me that tom
is clever detective just be-
thinks the finest diamond at
belongs TO you" teased her
I'd the young girl had blushed
as she confessed that Tom
come very cleve' work. in
scovering her feeiing toward
don't You think that was
Yident?' said the beartless
ar IL all seemed. Outside
limpse of steadily falling
ths he: folds of the
ms. but hin all was
I'd soothing a fire OF
delicious warmth
rtment. A giant bow
brimming over with
rance roses she loved
incense generously
olin in corner The