Middletown transcript., 1903-04-25
n UNWRITTEN. STORY
BIZ ANNA ross GRaRKE.

1A14 4dsOV WOheeAhAJ wy -
motley crewd that collects in the
city council chamber, had been a
welcome sight for the city faith
ers. It's mighty poor company
ye're in here, Miss Waldron, one
Of them had once said to her, in
his rich Scotch brogue; to which
she had returned pleasantly.
But I'm not above being seen
where Alderman Mackay is, to
his delight. Many were the
scroops saved for her by these
sames aldermen, not alone be-
cause of her personality. but for
the manner in which she handled
a story, with individuality COM
tbined with strict regard for
truth. And of necessity, how
many of the best stories about
the city hall came from the office
,ofthe chief executive. Richmond,
Richmond, the Great Editor
growled almost daily. Will you
kindly inform Miss Waldron,
the Tribune is not running an ad-
veftising bureau for this young
man?
Mayor Richmond was closeted
in his private Office with his chief
of police, when Miss Waldron
glanced in.
] Good morning, Chief, she sa-
,luted. Mayor, may I have few
minutes of your valuable time,
presently? III be back in a lit
tie while, and she wisely with
drew, with a vivid impression of
q remark overheard, If it were
any man on the force but Sulli-
van
They, too, were discussing the
scandal.
She clint bed the stairs to the
clerks Office, where she was
warmly greeted.
You've not been around for
a. long time, that dignitary said,
while his assistants beamed good
'naturedly.
NO, I,gave this territory over
toe a man, and sought newer
fields. What do you know?
Don't know a thing-oh yes,
here's a scoop for you. Smith
couldn't have it, nor that Times
reporter either. The property
sowners at Twenty eighth and
Ellis avenue have sent in a
lengthy protest against their
paving, and are going to fight
the assessment. Do you want it?
Do I want it? Of course I do.
She ran her eyes over the long
Jist of signatures. I want all
these names, too. You are q
friend worth having.
The clerk smiled. He was
listening to steps on the stairs.
More reporters, he muttered.
Here, take this pad and go in
here and copy what you want,
and opening a door he pushed
her gently through and closed it
after her.
This portion of the old city
hall was new to Alice. 1t was
an upholstered corner, lighted
high above by two dormer win
dows in the roof. Just what it's
original intentional use was not
apparent, but at present spider
webs and dust reigned supreme.
Carefully drawing up the skirt
of her gown she seated herself
on a saw-horse, and began her
task of copying some ninety-odd
names. Voices reached her, pre-
sumably without the door by
which she had entered, and she
paid no attention until she caught
what was being said.
You should have come to me
before. It was the Mayor speak
ing. Was that Sullivan who an
sweredg
Indeed I'd not the courage,
y'r Honor. Many's the year
you've known me, and you'll say
for me I've always been indus
trious, hard working, and-hon-
est. Never a penny have [ ever
used before that was not my own.
Many's the time there has been
little enough for the seven Of US,
but Betsy made the best of what
we had, and we never complain
ed. What with sickness and doc
tor bills, and the dreadful cold
weather, we had gotten behind
this Winter, and Tim, our eldest
boy, sixteen come April, stopped
school and was going to try to
find work. There didn't seem to
be just anything he could get to
do, and he was getting plum dis
couraged. I guess the company
he kept was none to good, and
he didn't take it kindly when I
talked Of them, said / was always