The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-01-04
MeIifa'S Last
Interview
Copyright. 1911, BY Associated Literary prs.s.)
BY JAMES r. SHELDON


Copyright. 1917, by Associated Literary Press.)
Sorry to bother you, Miss Sill, ;"
said the managing editor In the cheer
full tone of one who has simply to
make his wants known to have them
filled, but there isn't man free.
You know it's just out !lat young
James Floyd-James, whose uncle cut
him of without penny because he
wouldn't play the society game but
insisted on beginning at the bottom
and working his way up, has been
made general manager of the B. T. &
s. Railway. Do you see?"
"Oh, come now" coaxed the manag-
daughter Molly. But told you; there's
not i man free who could handle the
interview. You know what | want.
You can do it. Go down and see the
man. Get a good story. I'm no end
sorry to ask you. Miss Sill-but what
can l do? Can't go myself, and can't
go to press without the story"
Melita walked slowly back to her
own room. She would go, of course.
There was nothing else to do when
the big managing editor said go"
But l just hate to interview peo-
pie" muttered Melita. ut makes me
feel so-well, SO like the way | used
to feel when forgot my penny at
Sunday school or ate my soup with
the -'rong spoon and then had to eat
my pudding with my soup spoon-just
uncomfortable and out of it and hor-
rid. Oh, bother!"
Melta worked on the woman's page.
She liked the work, and she liked the
office. and she liked. above all, the
kind, fatherly managing editor. But
several times, in connection with her
work, she had gone to interview prom
fnent women, and, fortunately, as she
thought, she had made success of
these interviews. So when the editor
was rushed with work, and all the re-
porters were busy and there was a
special interview to be made, he some
times called MeIita to do it.
you make better thing Of 1t than
those silly young subs" he would say.
70 pacify her.
1t was painful for Melita to ask
anyone for an interview. 1t seemed to
her the height Of impertinence fer
her-inexperienced, plodding, little
Melita Sill-to dem md of some lead sr
In the world of suffrage the date of
her birth, and how she did her hair.
or some leader in the world of poll
tics what he liked best to eat and
whether or not he had ever been In
love. And she would dig her nails
into her palms and hide behind the
elevator shaft sometimes for Eve min
utes before she could gain courage to
open the forbidding door of the Office
talked to.
Worrying about the corning inter
view drove all tho 'ghtc of the pleas
use she had been looking forward to
having az the dinner party that night
from Melita's mind And 1t was a
nervous and uncomfortable, though
determined young woman who, at 4
o'clock, walked into the Office of the
B. T. G S. Railway.
I'm from the Morning Ledger"
said Melita sternly to the office boy.
81 should like to see Mr.. Floyd
James. if you please"
What for?" demanded the boy.
ITO ask him for 7vatement for
the Ledger"
We'll, l don't think he'll see you;
but you can sit down if you like while
l tell him you're here"
Melita sank rigid On the nearest
chair, and watched tho boy disappear
through door that was marked "Pri-
vate; General Manager"
Won't see you," said the boy,
emerging from the same door a mo-
ment later.
Melita rose ITS very important"
she said. please tell him So"
mo use" said the boy. but l will
II you want"
He went again tn the door and held
1t open while he repeated Melita's
message. She saw the back of a tall,
stopped figure seated before q huge
desk, piled with a litter Of papers,
books, maps and charts.
"She says" began William
bravely.
Get out of here, William" came
the voice Of the man at the desk peev.
ishly
But she says"
81 don't care what she says 1 won't
see the lady"
But" complained the boy, "she
won't go. What'll | tell herr"
Tell her the truth If you want to,
William" snapped the man. Tell
her that about nine billion reporters
have been here this morning; tell her
that when have got anything to say
that want the newspapers to say for
me, I'll let them know; and tell her
that next to cornmeal mush the thing
most dislike In the world is an AFRO
giant, cvcrbearing. mannish woman
that goes prying about where she
isn't wanted. Get out and shut the
door"
Yes. SIR" said the boy meekly,
closing the door. I'm sorry" he be-
gan, sheepishly turning to Melita.
Good afternoon; please thank the
gentleman for his Kindness" said
Melta icily.
1t was not very happy young
woman who hurried, a little late, to
the dinner party she had been looking
forward to. In spite of new frock
and the consciousness that It was very