Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-01-31

Get an interview with Bowers and
have it ready for tomorrow mornings
paper" the city editor told young Ar
mold, briefly
During his year Of experience as a
reporter Arnold had learned never to
expect detailed Instructions He had
done good work in this time, and this
particular assignment meant that his
ability was recognized. The Hon. J.
D. Bowers was an especially difficult
gentleman to approach. He seldom
talked when it could be avoided, and
he never had been known to grant an
interview. Several faxed" interviews
with the great man had appeared in
some Of the yellow journals, but one
that was authentic never had been
published.
Young Arnold knew that he had no
easy task to perform. 1t could not be
accomplished by ordinary methods, but
he was resolved not to be beaten.
There was something in his chiefs
tone when he gave him the assign
ment that led Arnold to hope his sue
cess meant raise Of salary. An in
creased salary meant that he could
write to The Girl and ask her to name
the day" She was waiting for this
word, down in the little country town
he had left to go out into the world
to make his way.
He remembered so well his sensa-
tons when he arrived in the city. It
was just at nightfall and as the lights
flashed up 1t had been his fancy that
the city was putting on its diamonds.
. 1t was all so vast and unknown, so
thrill at his heart when he realized
that he was to become a part of the
great machinery Of endeavor.
Having served an apprenticeship
with the weekly paper at home, nat
urally he sought the same employment
in the city. He was fortunate enough
to secure work at once, and since then
his education: had progressed rapidly.
He found his duties vastly different
from those he had known before There
was no time for slow writing No
time to think out fowery phrases
which should embellish prosaic facts.
IT was facts, and facts alone, that were
wanted and not poesies.
The breath Of the country green was
on him when he came to the metropo-
lis. His life in the open was betrayed
by the breadth of his shoulders, by the
fresh-air color of his face, and by the
strongly developed muscles Of his
limbs. His height and breadth gain
ed him the name Of Husky Tom among
his associates, for his was a breezy,
cordial nature which soon placed him
on a nickname intimacy with his COM
panions of the reporters room.
The interview with Bowers was
wanted because Of the converting in
the city of the States leading politi-
clans Bowers was the greatest Of
them all. 1t was he who planned, or
ganized and directed the political cam
paigns of his party. His word was
law with his followers. What went on
behind his mask-like face was never
revealed until he was ready to make
known the schemes of his brain, and
1t was doubtful if even then they were
ever laid bare in their entirety. Re
porters were his particular adherence
The faxed" interviews were bitter
ness to his memory. They offended
his dignity and assaulted the majesty
of his power.
Tom Arnold, having full knowledge
OF all this, found himself confronting
a problem Get an interview with
Bowers" his chief had said in much
the same tone as if he had instructed
him to get a cup of coffee"
You're up against it good and plen-
ty," one of his fellow reporters told
aim, laughing with the heartlessness
of one free from trouble.
well, I'll get it all right" Arnold
returned, stoutly. Watch me-"
Good boy, win out" answered the
other. 1T means a sure raise"
Tom Arnold possessed the excellent
quality Of never knowing when he was
beaten. He had bulldog way of hang
ing to anything upon which he had
fastened his hold, and his wits were
aharpened by his year Of experience.