Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-02-03
| REJECTED
| MANUSCRIPT
An Editors Telegram That Had
I u Double Meaning.
BY LOUISE OSBORN.
Copyright. 1909. by American Press
Association.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BY LOUISE OSBORN.

Bradley as she tossed her hat on the
top of her desk. hung her coat care
fully on u peg in the wall and crowded
her gloves into pigeonhole marked
Recipes"
Then she gave an adjusting pat to
her hair and hurried through the door
connecting her little room with the
office of the Sunday editor of the Star.
Good morning. Miss Bradley" saic
Mr.. Dunn, just as he had said il every
morning since, five years before. Helen
Bradley had begun to work Oh the
woman's page OF the Star. I'm going
away tomorrow morning, and I'm go
ing to ask you to do some of my
work"
Helen gave startled "Oh. I'm sorry
you're going" blushed and regained
her usual businesslike voice. Very
WELL" she said What work.
III tell Jimmie to give you all
manuscripts addressed to me, Open
them. Read the stuff that's sent in
and pass on It, You've helped me out
SO many times. | guess you know a
good thing when you see 1t as well as
| do. I'm putting 1t right up to you.
Miss Bradley. That's all, thank you"
John Dunn swung round in his chair
Hello" he said into the telephone
receiver. Give me the composing
ROOM"
Helen heard him calling empha tically
and urgently for overdue proofs as
she closed the connecting door be-
tween the rooms.
Then she sat down to wonder why
Mr.. Dunn was going so suddenly
away and to map out her two pages
for the next weeks Sunday paper.
The day was hard one for the ed.
itor of the Star woman's page. The
photographer telephOned that there
wasn't enough sunlight and the fash
ion photographs wouldn't be ready I'M
til the next day.
The beauty" writer sent word that
she had a cold and couldn't get her
copy in on time possibly.
Mr. Siddons. the managing editor.
came in to say that he didn't think
much OF the new series of fashion az
ticles Helen was running.
Her typewriter broke down. and she
had to wait two hours for a man 10
Tx 1t. Five O'Clock found her still al
her desk. struggling to think of some
thing besides hash to tell about in the
column she was writing on How to
\
Dishes" "
oh. Miss Bradley" Mr. Dunn came
into her room. his coat OH and his hat
in his hand Il forgot 10 tell you.
Don't be soft hearted and accept things
just because you think the writer looks
pinched and poor. the way you did
those fashion articles Sidduns kicked
about. To go the stuff's got to have
plenty of human interest. you know,
It's got TO have personal appeal. Re-
member that"
Then he looked at her flushed cheeks
and shining eyes In the bright circle
under the green drop light over her
desk.
What's the matter?' he said. for a
moment the tone of the businesslike
editor giving place to that of sym
pathetic fellow worker. You're tired.
Miss Bradley. Shut up your desk and
go home. Tomorrow you'll be fresh.
and things will go better. Jove." he
added, tits "a shame to pile extra work
on your
"Oh, Mr.. Dunn" said Helen. Il don't
bit mind! And I'm awfully glad to
do it for you. I'll try not to make
any dreadful blunders."
Helen smiled as they shook hands.
''Goodby." she said. Il hope you'll en-
joy your trip"
Then as he went out of the room she
said TO herself: Now. | must remem-
Der Human interest and personal ap,
peal +" And she scrubbed the two
phrases down on slip of paper and
pinned IL To her calendar.
BY the time John Dunn had been
away from the office week Helen had
several times had recourse to the two
watchwords he had given her.
The task of passing on manuscripts
was always a hard one for Helen. She
knew II good article when she saw II.
as the Sunday editor had said: but. as
he had also hinted. her sound business
sense was roo often overcome by her
imagination.
II the copy she read was written
with a well worn typewriter ribbon. II
the paper seemed cheap or the ink
looked watered. Helen was always dis
posed In favor Of the article
Il suppose" she said To herself more
than once. THAT a really good editor
ike Mr. Dunn. for instance doesn',
pay BIT of attention TO anything hui
The story Itself"
And with the desire always before
her to discharge her added responsible
tiles In way that would please the
absent editor Helen read the articles
| submitted 10 her III her most profes
| sional manner aud submitted them al
| TO the tests OF human interest" anC
personal appeal"
AS the week passed Helen fOunC
that her desire 20 please The grave ano
dignified sunday editor was not only ,
desire 70 do her work we'll Win some
| annoyance she realized now much sh'
had grown To depend on his frieudl!
Good morning" and Good night"
| She called herself foolish. for she re
membered that from the time she had
begun TO work for the STAR Mr. Dunn
had never shown her more than the
whole hearted friendliness he showed
every ole who worked for him.
ing as she looked into his empty room.
hes been gone just week. dont
know whether I'd rather have him
come back or stay away Anyway. im
u silly goose {"
She weni resolutely back to her desk