The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-13
Our Daily $bcrt Story

Into it py poverty and hard times "But things may change" said Bobby. eagerly, After all, she found that Bobby was not such nuisance She beamed ou him Kindly. That's lovely of you to even suggest such q thing" she said q begin to feel more hopeful. already"
 "And if things did look more hopeful and so detaining her. would you consider a fellows offer then7"
 It was delightful. after all. to talk with Bobby who was only boy. and to whom one could say anything.
 "oh. Bobby" she said. wistfully. winking hard to keep back the tears-which were threatening to come, even there on the street. T believe if I could once begin to prosper and be independent would be glad to give 1t up. But you can see for your self that there's no such thing as giving 1t up when you have failed"
 And If Bobby was silent during the re- mainder of the walk to the boarding house. which Miss Dexter was in the habit of call ing home. 1t was not because he was puz- zlng over the paradox set forth in Miss Dexters last remark. Deep thoughts were 1 revolving in Bobby's head. He would see the city editor-he would make him do things for Miss Dexter. He would never cease working for the slender girl who was growing pale at the proof desk. And when I 1 door, Mss Dexter had little idea of the high resolves that filled the brain beneath the | iiat
 ] W ant to see me, Powers?" asked the city editor in sprprise. half an hour later. Bobby came in and closed the door leading | to the local fooms T want to ask you something" he said awkwardiy but with easerhess that got into his voice and made him afraid 1t was not yet through changing It's about Miss l Edith--' Miss Dexter. you mean?". asked the city editor. He had swung around in his chair and looked at Powers. but now he applied himself with great care and deliberation to the sharpening of pencii.'~ | y"Yes; she's killin' herself that's what sine isl" said Bobby. leaning forward in | his eagerness to bring q look of the slight est interest into the face which was intent on the pencil. Everything has been goin' against her-rlistakes get into the paper. and Howell goes up there and makes a howlin' jackass of himself about his old cotton reports-as though anybody ever reads them, anyhow. An Briggs grumbles. an the printers charge everything on to her-giddy beasts!-an' she gets her stories back from those grinning hyenas of editors Got one back from The Mirror today-and' she had counted on sellin' that story to The Mirror until she almost had the money | spent, she was so sure of it."
 l These things are to be regretted" said the city editor. He had succeeded In getting a beautiful point to his pencil. but unfor- tunately broke 1t and had to begin over again .'t
 Yes; aren't they!" said Bobby, with con viction. And I told her she ought to marry and throw up this dirty work. which no girl has any business trying; and she says she can't do it while everything is go- ing wrong. If she could be prosperous once. she says, she could listen to a man when he asked her-but she don't want to think she was forced into marvin a man by bad luck. you know. You can see how that would be-. yourself" r.f fS 7 The city editors hand must have been unsteady. The point of the pencil broke again.
 'Tu sharpen that, MT. Gray, if you likey' said Bobby. but Mir. Gray did not notice the offer. Bobby went on earnestly: And I thought you might fix things-to some ex- tent. I know 1t wouldn't do the least good for me to try; I've got no influence-but suppose you went down to the business of- flee. now. and represented that she ought to have more salary-they're paying her about half what they'd have to pay a man. anyhow-Pm sure they'd do it for you. And then if you called on The Mirror editor I-youre friends. aren't you?--and told hin, that he'd do well to get all the stories he could from her. because she was one of the rising young. etc.-you know how to fix things like that"
 The city editor came very near looking startled as he suddenly raised his eyes from the pencil. but he controlled himself in time
 And to what does all this tend ?" he ask ed. drily.
 why" said Bobby, ingeniously; If you could get things around to that point, I'd ask her myself. Honest, would. I'm getting $15 a week now, and two people could live like one o'clock on $15 a week."
 The city editor finished the pencil, and tapped 1t on the desk and broke 1t again, and did not seem to be aware of the fact in the least.
 'Tm much obliged to you for the sug- gestion." he said after awhile, T will look into it."
 Young Powers arose. speechless with de- light and rosy a girl, and walked forth triumphant. When the office boy, who was a year older than himself and had a young moustache. asked him if he had come into his fortune, he merely poked the office boy in tho ribs and went on his way home to a cold dinner-for the landlady who catered for Bobby knew no such word as walt The very next morning he passed through the business office he saw Gray there, talking to the manager, and he was fortunate enough to overhear the word "proofreAder.' The manager was smiling and nodding-no doubt 1t was as good as done Now. if the city editor would be as fortunate with The Mirror!
 If Bobby had only known it. the visit which the city editor paid Tha Mirror that day at noon was attended with immedi- ate results. When he came out he mailed at the first post letter from The Mirror. stating that on second thoughts the editor would be pleased to examine Miss Dexters story again, as 1t seemed that there was now a place where he could use 1t; and. further, he would take pleasure in having her work submitted from time to time.
 The city editor calculated how long 1t would take the letter to reach the office. He preferred to have this letter and the note from the business office go up the chute together-say about o'clock, when the tasks of the day were over and most of the reporters were going home. He timed them both very accurately. They went up in the chute few minutes of four in time to catch the proofreader as she was just about to set the soft hat above her discouraged face. The letter from the business office caught her eye. to the utter exclusion of the other.
 They are going to turn me out she said |. to herself, her lips growing white; and in that moment while she stood there holding . the sealed envelope she had seen herself walking down the stairs for the last time, and then going about the streets looking for work, and not being able to find it. and growing pale and thin and shabby, so that nobody would even talk to her about work. And then she walked with little sob. ard taro onnn tba anyelope and read the