The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-01-26
His Best Two Years

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1t was carnival time The streets O
New Orleans were thronged with sight
seers seeking places Of vantage from
which to view the parade of thu
Knights of Momus.
Canal street, the central thorough
fare, was brilliant with myriad O.
electric lights. Brightly Illuminated
tEolley-cars filled the four tracks OF the
neutral strip, and the grand stand:
which covered the sidewalk sheds
we're festooned via incandescen'
lights. Laughter and song were every
where outdoors and every moment the
happy throng was increased by new ar
| rivals.
| But in the Office of the World-Demo-
crat was neither gaiety nor brllllancy
At his desk the city editor ruefully
contemplated his assignment book, and
tried to imagine how, without hiring
extra help, he was to carry his papei
| through the next few days to the Gull
mination of Mardi Gras without being
badly 'scooped."
Yet hiring more men was out OF the
question, for the managing editor had
fatty refused his latest request to in
crease the staff. He was alone In his
Office, save for two copy-readers, and
! on his list were at least three assign
ments that should be covered.
The door opened and slender youth
of nineteen, with valise in his hand,
entered, and stepped up to the desk.
Excuse me, are you the city edi-
tori" He spoke as quickly and as ner-
vously as he walked, but his voice had
note of unconquerable cheerfulness
that made 1t pleasant to hear. He sat
down and leaned forward.
my name is Thompson, Wilbur
Henry Thompson. Here is my card,
sir. Let me see-what did you say
your name was? Duncan? Thank
you. Now, Mr.. Duncan, I've come
down here to work for you. I've just
come to town. You give me an assign
ment right now. and I'll leave my bag
here and look up bunk after l get
through tonight"
Work for me-" exclaimed the amaz-
ed editor. why, my boy, haven't
any work for you! L"
mo work for me?" interrupted the
visitor. why, Mr.. Duncan, there's
always work for me to do! I'm one
of the best newspaper men you ever
saw. The fact is, came down here
especially to work for you. No work
for me? Look on that assignment
book and tell me there's no work!
Now come, give me an assignment and
let me start"
The city editor had fairly lost his
breath. Never in his career had he
thus been besought, nor had he ever
before declined man whom he so
much desired at first sight to employ
But he had his chiefs refusal fresh in
mind.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Thompson" he said,
''but have orders not to increase my
staff. l cannot take you"
is that all?" exclaimed the visitor. |
''And all that work on your book? |
Now see here, Mr. Duncan, come from
Leake County, Mississippi. Ever been
In Leake? It's got more water, sir,
than any other county in the state.
Yes sir. You're going to laugh. But
It doesn't. Never drop leaks out,
sir. Now, Mr.. Duncan, I've got con-
I've got it bad. The doctor
up at Jackson says I've two years to
i've If take care Of myself, but can't
be cured. When he told me that, said
10 myself. Two years! What cannot
! man do in two years? Those shall
be the best two years of my life.'
I'm going to make them the best
TWO years, Mr.. Duncan. I'm a news
paper man. Trained on Joe Carrots
paper up in Leake. looked all over
our exchanges for the best Southern
PAPER. That was yours, sir. All
'ight,' I said: TIL go right down to
New Orleans and work for that paper
That's why I'm here.
''The best two years Of my life, Mr..
Duncan. Do you realize what that
means? And I'm going to give them
o you. Now-now do you say you
lave no work for me? Why, you
ant drive me away. I've got two
'ears to give you, and you must take
hem"
He spoke with eager impetuosity.
His rapid sentences moved the city edi-
or. He knew not what to say in re-
)ly, but at last he answered:
well. Mr.. Thompson, haven't any
hing for you, but If you want to hang