The Washington times., 1906-06-17
CiNIl&rHoeColn1n.
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The writer feels that before beginning
his work as correspondent for The
Times from the Civil Service Commits
sion. he would say something in regard
to his previous experience in this line
of work. and. for the benefit of his
readers. map ont briefly the plan on
which this column Of news will be con-
Quoted.
For various reasons. il has been con-
sidered by the correspondent wisest to
conceal his identity. at least for the
present. and write under a "nundy-
ploom.''
His qualifications are such as will rec
ommend him TO the most critical news
paper readers of Washington. and he
would ask that he be accorded respect
fui attention as he strives from week
TO week 10 narrate the interesting hap
peninKs of the commission in this sheet.
He remembers his first work in the
newspaper field X was in a little town
in central Illinois. near Springfield. His
duties consisted, in part, in meeting
three trains which passed through the
village. daily. Two Of these trains didn't
stop. but he was always On hand at
the depot to see that the mail bag did
not miss its hook when flung from the
train. and strike some innocent bystand-
CT. which would you will cOncede have
made a great story for our town.
Sad Story of Spot.
While this particular accident never
happened while he was incumbent of
the office of the reporter on the Morn
ing Call he remembers that one day
as the Chicago special was rushing
through the town at a terrific rate of
speed, thirty-five an hour. Spot" the
faithful old shepherd dog belonging to
Alderman Tim " ats. was run over
near the crossing in front of the Widow
Lanes house (the widow has married
again since the writer left Millersvillel
and WAS killed. Spot had always been
a great favorite in the neighborhood
especially with the children. and there
was general lamentation because of his
death. The reporter wrote his life his
tory in full. and he had a touching and
pathetic tale Chat is, story. The Call
printed that story exclusively in our
town. However as our contemporary
did not begin business until nearly a
year after this occurrence (they quit
three months after they began). 1t was.
Of course. impossible for them TO do
justice TO Spots tale
But the meeting of the three trains
each day was only a small part of the
repotor'ai duties in this. the writer's
hrst newspaper work He was often
called up at an early hour to run down
"a creditor who was about TO leave the
town, suddenly He recalls that once he
arose at about 2 o'clock in the MORN
ing. in response to a frantic appeal from
the boss. the editor. but was not in time
to overtake the dollar subscription
which had already vanished up the Wa
bash tracks in the inner pocket of one
of 1.-THE Calrs" latest subscribers That
was one of the few failures he has
made.
Multifarious Duties on the Call.
His other duties were to open the edi-
tors mail each morning. There were
sometimes as high as three and four let
ters and a couple of papers. In addition.
he set all Of the type in the office.
washed the windows, and swept the
floor. The editor said that he was real
handy. His salary was not large, but
he was learning all the time. He feels
that he owes much Of his present sue
cess TO the thorough training he re-