The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-05-03

was d dulSh SlSp Ou TIC HOOT, anu MT.
Wilbur Henry Thompson of Leake stood
beside him.
| Goodness gracious, Mr.. Duncan, and
you said there was no work for me! Give
me some of that copy and let me help you
out. I'm one of the best copy readers
you ever saw"
He waited for no consent, but picking
up handful of typewriter paper, the
newcomer walked hastily to the table,
while couple of reporters turned and
stared at him and the city editor fairly
gasped.
II say" Thompson demanded of the
amazed copy reader, what are the
heads? Got style sheet? Thanks! Oh,
these are easy"
Duncan had risen to his feet, and now
walking to the table, he looked over the
young mans shoulder. With a rapidity
which was anovelty in the office. Thomp-
sons pencil was flying along the lines,
correcting spelling, punctuating, para
graphing, now and then deity inserting
a subhead, now crossing out line or a
sentence. In the eyes of a newspaper
man it was indeed beautiful work and
the city editor watched it a moment,
and then decided not to interfere.
After moment Thompson looked up,
cast his eyes about for the basket in
which to file his copy, saw hook in
stead. called Copy boy" loudly, and
"spindled" story. The boy took it to
the city editor, who hardly glanced at it.
"All right" he said, and the copy was
taken to the composing The best
two years had begun.
You know" said Duncan, at mid
night, 81 can't pay you anything when
have another man to send. If Iget stuck
can pay you space once in while, but
if you do any other work can't pay
you"
That's all right" declared Thompson.
Don't want pay till 1 prove myself.
What want is work. Two years, Mr..
Duncan. and I'm determined they shall
be two fine years"
For three weeks Wilbur Henry Thomp-
SON performed labors of love in the office
of the World-Democrat. Occasionally,
when the office was empty of reporters
and an emergency rose, the city editor
was able to send him on an assignment
for which he could give him space rates;
so the young man was able to pay his
board, and that was all he asked. He
was bright, cheerful youth, and was in
day general favorite In the office. His
briskness did not fail, his cheerfulness
was never wanting, his optimism was
| never conquered. There was no better
copy turned in at the "W. DIS" desk than
came from his pencil.
He had found boarding house when
the carnival crowds had departed. One
| day there appeared attable man whom
he recognized as famous traveller, just
returned from long journey through
Central and South America.
of the trade of New Orleans Is looking
Here Is the man who would know about
1t. He had come into the city without
ostentation and had not made his
presence known. 1t was an ideal oppor-
tunity for the reporter.
Thompson engaged the stranger in
conversation and drew from him long
discussions of the conditions of the mar
kets in the countries he had visited of the
manners and customs; of the feelings
toward the United States, and especially
toward the people of New Orleans; of the
prospects of new steamship lines being
able to pay, and of the extent of country
the various ports would serve.
He FASTENED to his room with the in
formation still fresh in his ears, and for
three hours drove his pencil swiftly along
the paper. Then he fastened to the
"W-D" Office.
"Here you are, Mr.. Duncan!" he ex-
claimed Here's the best thing I've
done yet A real interview" He laid
the copy on the desk.
"Why, what's this ?" asked Mr.. Dun
can.
"Interview. George Y. Boiling Great
traveller. You kno " him."
"But he's not in town."
Eyes he is. l found him."
"But look here, Thompson. I'm sorry,
but the chief doesn't like paying you so
much space. He said to quit it. So
can't take this"
"Oh yes, you can. l didn't offer to sell
that to you. l don't want pay. I've
earned enough for my board already
this week. That's present, Mr. Dun
can. Won't be able to make many pres
ents in two years. Only one more Christ
mas, maybe. Got toget in extras. You
print that for me-"
So it was printed 1t was a clear
beat" Not another paper had line
on MIR. Bolling's return. And in the early
hours of the next forenoon Mr.. Duncan
was reused from sound sleep by the
telephone bell to answer the queries of
his chief
"Who did that Boiling interview ?"
was the question.
Thompson"
"Well, you put that man at work.
Thirty dollars a week. You ought to