Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-01-28
The FOURTH
ESTATE
Novelized by
FREDERICK r, TOOMBS
From the Great Play
Of the Same Name by
Joseph Medill Patter-
son and Harriet Ford.
Copyright. 1909. by Joseph Medill
Patterson and Harriet Ford.

Queried imperiously.
IL cannot" he answered simply.
The judges daughter tossed her
head independently. caught her skirt
in her hand. turned her back swiftly
on Brand and walked Indignantly
from the room.
Wheeler Brand, dazed. heartsick
and discouraged and torn by the emo
tons that welled within him. leaned
helplessly against the desk. After all.
be reasoned. what did it all matter?
There were lots Of evil men in the
world. always had been. always would
be- What harm would 1t do if one dis
honest judge were allowed to go I'M
molested. even If he happened to be
United States Judge? Surely there
were other dishonest judges. and he
could not drive all of them off the
bench-no. indeed. Aud. moreover,
this thankess task he had shouldered
would If he succeeded rob him OF The
girl he loved. 1t would rob him OF the
love Of the girl who loved him.
Then the thought of the enthusiasm
that had buoyed him as be wrote the
story that had exposed Judge Barte-
my came to him and chung to him. The
inspiration IN doing strong MAPS
work for the public good enthused The
spirit of Wheeler Brand. captured his
soul. The steady light burned o:ce
more in his eyes. He shook himself
together fastened his old time grip on
himself. AS for Judith. be would do
his duty, and he would win her yet.
When the managing editor of the Ad-
vance re-entered his office and walked
briskly toward his desk be found
Wheeler Brand looking eagerly over
notebook which. quite unknown to Nc
Henry. contained the data for an ar
ticle on the Lansing Iron case even
more damaging to Judge Bartelmy than
the one already printed.
well. did you settle it?" asked Nc
Henry.
Brand looked up and started toward
the door.
"Yes. SIR" he answered, and he was
gone.
At this juncture Downs. the city ed
itor. came into the managing editors
room. He addressed McHenry rapidly.
water main burst on Morton street;
drowned seven dago kids in the base
Inent of tenement; mothers. scrub
women, gone out TO work and locked
them in; water rising" He drew close
to the desk. "Children, climbing stairs
to escape. found huddled in each 9th
er's arms on top step. drowned! Ali
but the youngest hanging on to
string of beads; must have died pray
ing
The managing EDITORS face immedi-
ately lightened, and he pounded his
desk enthusiastically.
Good, Good. By glory, that's
dandy. That saves our lives! Now
we'll have paper tomorrow! Well
20 the limit on this. Did you send a
photographer"
"Yes. sir. did"
McHenry seized the office telephone.
might editor. Oh. hello. Cut three
columns more ont Of those shavings.
We've got live one. Seven dago kids
drowned. First time they ever saw
water in their lives. Run three col
umns!' He hung up the receiver and
turned to the city editor.
Put in three leads and make It
stick out like sore thumb. And, say.
put In a black faced bulletin saying
the Advance will receive subscriptions
for their families"
Durkin entered with bundle Of
proofs.
"And. say, Downs" added McHenry,
print in bold faced type that the Adj
vance will start the subscription with
$780,"
"Mr. Dupuy is downstairs" announc-
ed Durkin.
The managing editor could not sup
press a sour expression which crept
across his face. "Dupuy, eh?" he
grunted half audibly. Wonder what
he wants around here now? He's a
regular buttinski.'
McHenry knew Dupuy in business
way, knew he was counsel for several
of the big mercantile establishments
which advertised in the Advance and
that the lawyer had represented vari-
Gus corporations at the state capital.
"Well. | suppose III have to see him."
he finally resolved. SHOW Mr.. Dupuy
in" he called to the boy.
Good evening"" was Dupuy's greet
ing to McHenry as he entered and
placed his OvercOat on chair.
Good evening. Mr.. Dupuy. What
can | do for yOu?' The visitor seated |
himself at the right of McHenry's |
desk.
"McHenry." began Dupuy decidedly.
somebody on your paper has been
making bad breaks lately. particularly
the one this morning"
what one this morning.
1.-THE Judge Bartelmy story, Of
course"
Help sang out McHenry. "I'vs
been getting that all day."
Its no joke, McHenry," snapped
Dupuy.
ut was a mistake" responded the
managing editor.
mistake! Who was responsible for
it?' leaning forward.
"Oh. it just slipped through in the
rush,
"Tell that to the marines" retorted
Dupuy sarcastically. He paused. who
slipped it through?"
There was another pause.
McHenry began to assert himself.
excuse me, Dupuy." he asked point