The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-05-22
SALTWATER. MINNESOTA.

| Ing MS route well covered before
seven every morning except Sun
day. The paper | refer to had no
Sunday edition and if it had neither
of us could have worked for it, for
our parents were of the good old
type that insisted upon the proper
observance of the Sabbath, and |
often regret that the same spirit
does not prevail more generally to-
day.
After leaving school Macs father
wanted him to go into his store TO
work, but instead he accepted a
position as collector for the daily
paper, and in this capacity had am
pie opportunity to secure news and
write it, although it was not expect
ed of him. He showed himself so
we'll fitted for repertorial work, that
very soon be was called into the
editors Office and offered a repor-
ter's job at twelve dollars a week.
| There was never a more delight
ed boy than Mac was that day when
he told me the good news, but not
withstanding his qualification, he al
so felt deeply the grave RESPONSE
bility that had been thrown upon
his young shoulders. To emphasize
this responsibility Mr.. Barnes call
ed him as he was passing the busi-
ness Office and said in kind voice:
So they're going to rob me of
good collector and make re-
porter of you, are they my boy?
We'll, guess it's for the best,
and l believe you will make a good
newspaper man; but remember
Robert, that there is something
more than fame or money in this
life, and that is honor, and nowhere
is honor so essential as in newspaper
work. Remember my boy, that
you are now going into position
in which you can make or ruin
mems lives. Your pencil can form
sentences of praise or criticism fair
or foully unjust, as you may elect;
but always keep this in mind my
boy, that malace has no place in
newspaper mans makeup, that an
unjust or unkindly item is just the
same as thrusting a knife in a mans
back in the dark-he has no chance
to come back at you, for you have
the sole weapon of attack.
Wherefore, let me advise you,
my boy, to be careful always. l do
not mean that you should neglect to
strike where you are sure you are
right, but unless you are sure, don't.
Many an innocent man or a man in
nocent of intentional wrong is in
prison to-day owing to a vicious
sentiment worked up by an imagin-
ative or malicious newspaper man
who wanted to make hit with
sensational story.
Always remember that every
man has heart and feelings quite
as sensitive as your own; that per-
haps family of loved ones-inno-
cent ones, would suffer more keenly
the thrust he receives than he would
himself
/ want you to win, my boy.
Your old father and [ were boys to-
gether, and 1 know just how proud
he is of you, but next to him l want
you to know there is no boy on
earth | take as much pride and in
terest in than you.-now get out and
hustle!'
This talk with the old man. as
we use to call him, and the good
solid advise sank deep into Macs
heart. and l have heard him say
hundreds of times that it did him
more good than anything else in his
entire career; that he rememb bered
it was shown all through his news
paper life, for he would never speak
ill of a man or woman in anything
he wrote and seemed always to get
to the side of the under dog" and
(; give the good side to the story pref
erence.
| | haye finished the prosy" part
of my story-the introduction of
our hero. Next week we will see
him in the every day grind, and
!. incidentally devising some rather
} humorous methods of making few
dollars on the SIDE"