The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-11-18

it nus as easy ay" as "na en. .SaA
pected. For three Are uon q reporfer7"
weeks all did find was a lot Of advice
to 60 back to Scarboro. think would
bave done 1t If it-hadn't been for my
mother You know what fellows
mother is and how she banks on his
success"
Indeed l did, and found 1t necessa-
ry to stifle feeling of sympathy for
the poor chap He went on:
: Because ran the Scarboro Eagle
for couple Of years the folks up
there think I'm a future Bennett or
Dana. When got this place on the
Star they had great jubilation.5
think the Eagle got out special edi =
ton" He laughed and glanced at me
shamefacedly.
aren't you getting on well?" I
asked. trying to- squeeze all the SYM
pathy out of my voice.
Not very well. There's big diff
ference between this city and Scar
boro. am beginning to have some
doubts as to my choice of a profession.
But must keep on for awhile
think 1t would kill my mother if I
should fail"
felt very uncomfortable and alto
gether at odds with myself. OF course
was not responsible for the success
or failure of-this youth, but was too
fresh from the same struggle not to
have fellow feeling for him and
keen regret for the discontinue that
would be delayed only long enough for
his city editor to find out how he had
failed in this case
What are you at headquarters for?"
l asked abruptly. more from need Of
saying something than because cared.
THE city editor sent me to cover
the place. whatever that may mean"
Didn't he give you any dee"ite in.
structions?'
Only that l shouldn't let anything
get by me-"
"And has anything gone by?" He
laughed.
Half a dozen men went by a few
minutes ago. but they didn't look much
like criminals"
"You can't always tell by appear
ances.'' | said lightly. It was danger
GUS ground. and ! wanted to get off.
He seemed struck with the wisdom of
my remark.
"Do you think ought to 60 into the
office and find out?" he asked.
"Oh. no; it's probably nothing" an
swered Fortunately be was looking
at the door Of the office and not ut me.
In my agitation l had leaned forward
and almost seized him. ! might have
spared myself the stress Of mind. In
stead of showing any disposition to act
upon my stupidity made hint lie seemed
relieved at my assurance and appar
emily dismissed the subject from his
mind.
To me fresh and tormenting aspect
of the affair presented itself. If had
been guiltless before of having any
thing to do directly with the boys ap-
preaching downfall, l was so no longer.
had become a positive agent to it
Just how far the ethics Of my duty to
the Gazette would justify me | could
not determine. but felt keenly that
had transgressed the rules of ordinary
fairness and was conscious of Il self
contempt that made me very wretched
With some poor idea of squaring my
self started in to give the youth some
advice about doing his work. Imagine
it. |. who. myself. was scarcely more
experienced than he. giving sapient
COUNSEL. 1t was grewsome business
for me. and l cut it very short. NJ,
feelings were further lacerated by the
youths heartfelt gratitude He coult
not express all that he felt.
81 shall never forget your kindness.
he said I looked at him. drawn by :
little catch in his voice. His eyes were
filled with tears. mumbled some
thing in reply and turned away. Their
| made a resolution. and at the instan
of its consummation the office doc
opened The youth instantly turned hi
back and sought his seat at the desk
Billy came hurriedly out
"Come on" he said to me. 1--WE go
everything"
"Wait minute" said.
mot one to spare"
"Just second" pleaded. He stop
ped
Now. then, what is it?"
"Moulton. you must tell that bo
what you found in the Office" said
He stared at me in amazement.
Are you craZy?" he asked.
mo. but he simply must be told.
Then. without giving him time to sa
more. told him the boys story a
quickly as could told him. too. Q
my share in 1t and of my shame an
self disgust Moulton listened imps
tiently
sIt can't he DONE" he said shortly a
! finished.
"But think what 1T will meant
him and to his mother"
: Moulton looked ut lie ard smiled.
, you're big baby" he said The
he turned to the youth. whose bac
. was still toward us
"Heyw he called Come here"
The youth rose slowly ard turned.
:. What is It, Rilly?" he said. comm
forward
: No,I'p made i'm inarti"ulate soun'