The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-10-02
An Editorial Experience.
BY MA0DALEN ROCK.


lawyer In the first year Of his practice
is not likely 10 be troubled with briefs
unless he can count many friends
among the judges, and certainly steph-
en- was no exception to the rule. stu,
as he did not need 20 rely on his pro-
iession he was not particularly troub-
led by his enforced idleness. He had
just come to the following conclusions
that the city was becoming unbeara-
bly, hot, that his fathers place, Dighton
Hall, would be at It's best, that it was
quite four weeks since he had seen kit
ty and that he would be off for home
in the morning, He had got so far in
his cogitauons when Clarence Lis
combe entered the ONCE.
They had been boys together at col
lege, and, though their opportunities
of meeting in later years had been few,
a very firm friendship existed between
them. Stephen arose and welcomed his
friend warmly.
How are you, Clarence?"
Fairly we'll" Liscombe responded.
He sank with a sigh into an easy
chair, and his looks rather belied his
words.
Il wonder If you can manage to do
me a service, Stephen?" he said, al
most Immediately. Bella has been or
dered a change of air and scene, and it
is necessary that | should accompany
her. Could you take charge of the
Woman's Messenger for month or
so?"
Il could manage the time" Stephen
replied, doubtfully, but the talent
that's another story"
'Oh, thatll be all right. feel that
you have the journalistic instinct and
you shall have the necessary coaching
on points to be specially considered.
The fact is, you must oblige me-"
81 nope Mrs. Liscombe Is not seri-
Ously ill?"
Clarence paused before replying.
Not physically" he said at length.
Then with groan he let his head fall
on the table. 1T is much worse, it is
her mind"
"Oh!"
Yes She fretted continually after
the baby's death, and lost all inter
est in her usual occupations. The doc
tors say that short holiday abroad
may do wonders. Neither she nor
have any immediate friends who could
accompany her, and, besides, she won't
go unless l go with her. Unfortunately,
my exchequer, as you know, won't al
low me to engage a paid substitute, so
came to you"
"Of course, of counsel" Stephen said,
hurriedly. Il shall be glad to help
you in any way, only I'm afraid shall
make a mess Of the thing. Don't you
look after the correspondence page
You do. Well, am conscious Of an
utter inability to inform your readers
how to cook their dinners or to con-
coct a cosmetic for their compilations. .
ooh, you won't be much troubled in
that way. Most of the queries any
ordinary, sensible man could answer
right off, and Ashburton, the assistant
editor, will give you first-c!ass assist
ance Besides, in the ONCE are ency-
clopedias containing information on
every conceivable subject. l can't say
how thankful l am, Stephen" And
Liscombe heaved a sigh expressive OF
his gratitude.
Nonsense, man. The work will be
a positive relief to me-"
II hope you will not find 1t very bur.
densome. Perhaps you we're thinking
of going somewhere yourself? Every
one is complaining of the heat"
well, it is rather hot, but haven't
been thinking Of fitting" stephen re
piled, mendaciously. He didn't believe
in letting a man know the full extent
of his obligations to him.
81 am glad Of that" Liscombe said
rising. And now l must be off. Bella
is apt to be nervous If left long alone
BY the way, l would rather you sale
nothing of this"
Stephen sat thinking of his frienC
and of the pretty, weak little woman
he had married three years previously
Money isn't a too plentiful com
modify in that household, l fancy,
he soliloquized, as he arose to oper
his desk. He took a couple of $2t
notes from it, and, with brief note
incloged them in an envelope, which h,
addressed to his friend
Thanks to the dear old pater's gen
crosby, can spare them without en-.
inconvenience" he said to himself a
he strolled along to post his letter