The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-01
z OHNSON - heen telegranh edit!

7 OHNSON had been telegraph editor
Of the Daily Globe for three
years past. He had come to the
city of Rockmont after having suf-
fered reverses and misfortune else
where. and had procured employment
with the Globe" at $40 a week. His
children-there were five OF them-were
small and helpless.
The trip from Pennsylvania to the
Western city was long and expensive,
and the little family. forced to emigrate
through the fact that the head of it
could find no work at home, had been
compelled to sell of every article Of
household furniture they possessed in
order TO raise the funds necessary for
the journey. Rents in Rockmont were
high, for the town was thriving, and
land was on the rise in value. This
made building lots practically inacces-
sible to the poor, who might otherwise
have paid builder monthly install
ments- Conditions, however, being as
they were, a house tit to live in could
not be obtained for less than $50 a
month. This was the rent that John
son paid, so that during one week in
four he toiIed for the sole benefit of
the landlord.
The thrifty wife did the work of the
little household and cared for the chill
dren. Her nimble fingers made all. their
clothing, and her taste and neatness
we're manifest everywhere within the
modest home.
They were, however, deeply in debt.
Being without necessary housekeeping
furniture when they arrived in Rock
mont, they had purchased what articles
their comfort required from a second
hand furniture dealer, who had let them
have the things on form of lease,
whereby the dealer retained the title to
them until they should be fully paid for
by instalIments Of a designated sum per
month. This sum was sufficiently large
to absorb the small margin of wages re-
naming after the necessary household
expenses were paid; SO that, though the
family was as economical as circUm-
stances would allow. yes there was a
place for every dollar johnson received
from the paper and they had never found
an opportunity TO start an account with
the savings bank
When. therefore, johnson received the
curt note of dismissal it found him not
yet out of debt for his furniture and with
but five dollars IN his possession. He
owed, too. a little bill at the grocer
and a few dollars at the shoe store; but
these debts would readily have been
taken care Of by the close of the month
had things gone well on the newspaper.
1t was a great blow to Johnson's wife
when her husband told her that he had
lost his Job It required all the efforts
at reinsurance that Johnson could en-
pIoy TO make the doubling wife feel that
the situation held little Of the danger
she apprehended- His air of confidence
was, however, only assumed. Out Of his
wife's presence, his thoughts were sober
enough. What were they to do? He knew
nothing but telegraph editing or kindred
newspaper work The Offices of the other
papers in the city were all full, and
filled by men who were as tenacious of
their positions as of their lives He
knew no one through whom he could
control enough influence 10 get employ
ment anywhere
It was a sad and heavy interval.
those few hours that elapsed between
Johnson's Homecoming from his last
nights work and daylight Both he
and his wife realized the seriousness
of the situation. They had but little
food in the house; their small credit
at the grocer's would shortly fail
them; they had only s. in money. and
there were medicines yet to buy.
Neither Of the two slept At daybreak
they were up. Johnson hustled about the
house, helping Carrie with her work.
Their breakfast was soon prepared and
eaten, and while the day was yet young
he was on his way downtown in search
of work. He visited all the newspapers
and publications in the city. the "GIobe"
excepted. A man was wanted nowhere.
Ever had any experience as a re
porter" asked the city editor of one
Of the dailies.
No, replied Johnson; 4 have been
a telegraph editor. proofreader. and
copy holder. I have never done any
reporting, but I should be very glad
TO take an assignment and try il"
He was told 10 call at the Office fire.
quently, and when it should occur that
an extra man was needed. and he was
on hand, his abilities would be tested.
For a week he haunted that Office.
Provisions were getting scarce at home:
the family had enough to eat but OF