The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-09
On Special Assignment
- By SAMUEL TRAvERs CLOVER,
49, #-.- Author Of
>..~ .s"Paul Travers' Adventures - -.
Copyright, Lothrop Publishing Company, 1908.
CHAPTER II.
He Becomes "Featuren Writer

ILL.,.
He Becomes .'Feature', Writer. i.
w HEN Paul reported for duty at 1 o'clock the
" next day, he found a rough but spirited sketch
so.,. ~, pinned above his desk headed tTravers
meath the picture was written: @s-% f@$y=@ ~
"rhere are no flies on the Mercury staff
'''''.'.'.'.
Naturally Mr.. Wilder was proud of his protege In
and good work he ordered smart raise reg
ulan saiaay and $40 bonus nclosed in his envelope
recognition Of his brilliant descriptive story That
gala week for the girls at home. z<r-- - b. =
Herman Ryder the city editor, the only one dis
satisfied with the result Of the nights work He ruefuy
confded to Saybrooke that it Invariably followed when
he developed good reporter the managing editor stole
him. and So that Travers had accomplished the trick
the end for tbe sup e
day paper. .<-. :-.<~- .--.. T.
It true Mr. Wilder saw the possibilities Of Pauls
STYLE and decided to take him off the city and turn
him loose special work. instead Of sharing one big
room with dozen other reporters he found himself the
possessor of rotop desk in small office off the court
tenanted by only one other feature writer Paul
making progress .. -. ...-~... n. ! - . -.
Leaf the faed schooner christened that Paul met
with a little adventure on his way home to dinner.
SNOW was falling lightly as he left the Mercury build
turning OFT Fifth avenue into Madison street. Paul
headed westward for the river and had well passed
ket street when the bridge bell sounded that the
channel must be thrown open passing vessel Quick
enlng his pace he boarded the bridge reached the
farther side the first track swung clear of the
abutments There the usual of hurrying pedes
TRANS fearful Of beated dinner who scampered
Just IN time and then came solitary footpassenger
elderly gentleman muffed to his chin with derby hat
pulled forward over his eyes, y 5~, ."# y
On he came at trot, regardless of the fast-openng
gap; in fact, seemingly oblivio1s of it. - @~@ =
"Stay onl Stay on'' shouted several bystanders
who paused at the brink, tho seeming impending
catastrophe. *L>~= $3.50 . "...~
Paul caught the excited thrill the voices and turned
back He was just in time to dark body pitch off the
end OF the bridge-walk into space. ~ -. :..@
Paul rushed to the south side of the abntments
and examined the bridge approach.
, He was sure he had climb over the railing
tee gay previous having come up from below by
Of fixed ladder It for this avenue of descent Paul
searched and the next minute having located it, he threw
one leg over the rasped the top ladder
and before the onookers could divine his movements he
halfway down to the waters edge where lust be-
tween two stumps whose heads showed only few feet
ABOVE the level of the stream Paus quick eyes caught
glimpse of dark overcoat that almost submerged
If he could only reach it in time! -.
Gripping round of the ladder with his left hand
and with his left foot resting still lower rung
ea inches under water Paul his right foot
to stretch out his right hand the sinking BODY
by the coat collar. -. ~. z.@s. - 80
1t dead weight that he brought to the surface
and 50 insecure his footing that was possible
for Paul to do than maintain the head above
water. -. ,>-> =. %-.:@... - =.
But help at hand At the Of the vessel pass
ing thru the draw sailor in rowboat less than
two minutes he his craft between the piles ship
ping his reached to relieve Paul of his burden
. One stout haul and the inert lay between two
thwarts -. -"
|tYou jump called the sailor to Paul who needed
Under the bridge they sculed, stopping the -four
mill at the north side of the vaduc where by this time
half a dozen men had congregated.
Inhere, in here' cried voice, and door toward
the river opening revealed the engineroom Of the MILL
looking warm and cheerful
Nobody noticed Paul. All eyes were bent on the man
he had rescued doctor had been found by the bridge
policeman and his examination disclosed bad bruse
the unknown 8 left temple
In pocket Of his vest the policeman fshed out sew
eral limp cards. all bearing the NAME and giving
address not great distance from Paul home
Better call hack and take him there suggested
the policeman to the doctor -
Mechanically following Paul tarried see the doctor
and the two safe inside the vehicle charge
and then the horses started forward trot
the young resumed his interrupted jour
ney westward: Twelve hours sleep, and Paul awoke
with only slight hoarseness to remind him pre-
vious night s escapade.
For six months succeeding Paul led ideal existence
Mr. Wilder firmly believed in special feature articles
the Sunday edition. and the Mercury had circula-