The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-03-18

/ power. lucy are fiteo ttIollS WILL lAS
rest Of the paper. The fact is the gel
low Journalism works out its own de-
struction inevitably. It's days are al
ready numbered"
Our circulation is increasing"
"All the bigger fall when it comes"
replied John Gordon briefly, and then
they were both startled by a voice from
the doorway Of the room adjoining.
BEG pardon, Barton. couldn't make
You hear, though knocked twice"
Barton turned his head as q man
came into the room and exclaimed, "A1r.
Harris at the same time sending a
questioning flash to Gordon, wonder
how much he heard?'
Harris walked up to the table and
coolly helped himself to cigar from a
little Chinese pot and lighted it at the
cigar jet.
Mr.. Joha Gordon, Mr.. Harris" said
Barton, who had fully recovered his
usual Indifferent attitude by this time.
"Glad to meet you, Mr.. Gordon"
said Harris, putting out a very long
white hand. John Gordon took it, al
though instantly be felt most intense
dislike for the man.
He was Of q thin, wiry physique,
smooth faced, a bloodless complexion,
straight lips and cold gray eyes. His
manner was perfectly self possessed,
and neither Gordon nor Barton could
detect any sign on his face that be had
overheard a syllable Of their talk be-
fore he entered. He was faultlessly
dressed and had the general appear
ance Of a man who has exhausted a
large part Of his interest in life OF ac-
count Of large number Of intense ex
periences. At the same time there was
a serious alertness about him that was
very noticeable. He was not blase in
the ordinary use of that word He evi.
dently had bouudless faith in himself.
John Gordon had no difficulty in telling
why the man produced such dislike
in him. It was because Of his absolute
egotism.
''Alr. Gordon is my friend; the one
mentioned to you the other day as
! possible contributor in new depart
ment," Barton said as Harris still re-
mained standing near the table
Harris looked at Gordon and SAID
carelessIy:
81 understand you are going to ex-
pertinent down in the slums around
Bowen street.
81 may live there. I don't know
about experimenting" said John Cor
don coldly. he was rapidly beginning
to have Miss andrews dislike Of the
word "slums" as he had already grown
to have a hatred Of the idea Of ''exper-
imenting" with the people.
Harris walked over to chair at the
other end Of the table, and after 81
lence which neither Barton nor Gordon
seemed inclined to break he said, lean
ing little forward and speaking with
careful emphasis:
"Mr. Gordon, am prepared to make
you proposition that l hope you will
at least thoughtfully consider The
News now has circulation Of 100000
copies q day. That means that practi-
! caIy 100000 people read it At least
half the population Of the city read my
paper. It is especially true Of the
workingmen, the poor and the people
Of the street and the shop. The boule-
ward may not take the News. Grant
ed"
Gordon, looking at the newspaper
owner, thought he could detect just
shadow Of resentment under the ap-
parent indifference. "But the s!um
takes it and reads. I'd rather have the
slum reader any time. The boulevard
does not make anything but itself, but
the slum makes conditions. Now, then,
this is my proposition: J. will give you
the entire control Of q page Of the
News to write up the conditions Of the
city where you expect to live or work.
May ask where? Mr.. Barton has not
Informed me-
81 expect to live as Q resident in
Hope House"
"Goodw Harris exclaimed with an
eagefness that was unm;stakable-
ssYou couldn't do better. Miss An
drews Of course has made her work
known everywhere She has been ar.
occasional contributor to the News.
! You couldn't strike out On more pop
ular appeal than from that place as q.
center. See here. Let rae block out q.
programme for page that will set
this city to thinking as it never thought
before"
He at once outlined q series Of sub
jects for reform page from the social
settlement viewpoint which was sim
ply marvellous in its understanding Of
the conditions and the needs. Barton,
with born newspaper mans instinct
grasped the details with rapidity and
showed his interest by an occasional
interjection or hint that at once led off
into further possibilities. Even Cor
don, with his growing feeling Of repul-
sion for the man, which increased ev-
cry minute, could not resist an admira-
ton for his great shrewdness and in
sight. And all The time be was block
ing out the page Gordon thrilled at the
vision opened up of what might be
done for the people and by them if
once daily that was really theirs
lived its life for theirs.
"Of course I understand" Harris had
at last added, that all this will mean
q tremendous amount OF work. That
is what daily paper means to every
body connected with it. But it need
not mean that you would have to give
up residence in Hope House. In fact,
It would be better to continue your
actual touch with the district so as
to be able to give what you write for
the paper color. also realize that
you have need Of money to carry out
some Of these plans. That is the rea-
son I stand prepared to make this
offer. If you will undertake this work,
7 will pay you $500 month and in ad-
Gion help carry out some Of these