Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-05-02
A NEWSPAPER HOLDUP
BY ARTHUR HENDRICK VANDENBERG
by b.
( VANDENBERC
Copyright Bowes)

'1-% $50
YOU The stranger waved a farewell
hand. When he returned to the floor
below the foreboding black mask was
again in place
There was hasty conference Then
the leader advanced.
You will accompany this man." he
said to me, "and stay where he puts
you. You will be released tomorrow
evening-after the polls are closed.
And say, young fellow!" he OF the
scar shouted after us, addressing me,
you needn't try to hatch up any
scheme for escape, 1t won't do you
any good, in the first place, and in the
second place, you couldn't print an
other paper II you wanted to, because
I'm going to stay here and spike the
presses just as soon as our edition is
in the mailing ROOM"
My companion briskly whisked me
into a waiting cab, Our rough jour
ney never stopped until we alighted
before a country tavern which | had
never seen before.
The sequel to this strange tale can
be crowded into n brief paragraph.
did not reach town until the morning
Following election.
II seems that the Herald appeared
on time Tuesday morning Van Buren,
was struck dumb with amazement
when his paper was laid beside his
breakfast plate. He had anticipated
with a good deal of pleasure the salts.
FACTION attendant upon the publica
ton on election morning of the scath-
Ing arraignment of Genoa water for
which the program called.
Without touching his breakfast he
started for the Office He rushed up
he stairs to the editorial department
and found 1t mockingly empty On he
vent to the composing room, but
here the liRotypes alone maintained
stolid solitary vigil. There was
none to make explanation.
Realizing that the Herald's appar-
ent endorsement would throw the is.
sue in favor of Genoa water. Van
Buren, quickly planned "A counteract-
ing campaign. He laid out flaring
fenunciatory poster, stating that the
endorsement from his publication was
fraud. Before the ink was dry he
had the foreman of his press room in
the office.
Can you run off $4,000 of these in
two colors before noon?" he asked.
Cant be done, sir" was the re-
sponse. THE presses are out of com
mission. A large spike has been
driven into the cogs and we cannot
start the wheels until the whole thing
Is taken apart"
"a spike!" calculated Van Buren,.
That was never an ACCIDENT"
"Oh. no. agreed the foreman. 1T
was done purposely."
Can you get the job done at other
shops?' he asked.
Yes, sir, by splitting 1t up"
We'll, split 1t! I want $4,000 of
these posters in my hands at noon,
regardless of cost"
The posters were made and circu-
lated. The voter was thrown com.
| pletely into the air. He knew not
whom to believe. In his doubt he ar
Sueu tnat the safest thing was to vote
negatively. And thus he marked his
ballot.
The Genoa contract was defeated by
an overwhelming majority. / was able
to reach the city just as the definite
results became apparent. You can
realize my intense relief to know that
the plot in which | had become an un.
willing participant had failed
Van Buren, was utterly astounded
when he heard my tale.
who do you think the men behind
the masks were?" he asked
Don't know" | replied THE leader
bore an ugly scar upon his chin"
"a scarf" cried Van Buren,. Upon
| his chin"
Yes" | repeated in establishment
| What of it?"
1T was Gillette!" he murmured.