South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-19

in his own home ever since he could
remember. and he wauld readily have
sold his soul for a place on the staff
OF that journal He went eight or
nine different times 10 see the city
editor. and each time was rebuned.
The city editor thought Allen looked
too much college" Not being a col
lege man himself. the city editor was
annoyed by the sight OF stalward young
IN IN who looked as if they might know
a great deal about football forma-
tons. Besides his staff was full.
However, the assistant city editor,
who had been sitting near by listening
TO Aliens Offers of his services, felt
sorry for the young applicant. The
assistant city editor was John NJ. Sid
dali, now associate editor OF the
American magazine. and even then a
man of unusual resourcefulnesS. He
followed Allen out of the city room
one day, called him to one side, and
whispered TO him that he would guar
antee 10 get him job if he would
only follow instructions. Allen said
he would do anything.
We'll, your part may DO a little
irksome and tedious" Sidda1 warned
him, but il will be worth trying. Now
listen. Every afternoon at l o'clock
the city editor gives out the assign
ments to members of his staff. They
report here promptly at that hour.
| want you 10 report promptly at that
hour, too-only not here at the office.
\ on are TO report ar that cigar store
over yonder across the street. The
others report here and you report
there. That ought TO be simple
enough"
But what am L TO do at the cigar
store?" inquired Allen.
Nothing whatever" replied iddall.
Just report on the dot and remain
there for two or three hours every af
ternoon."
What's the joke. anyhow" Allen
asked him.
Quit asking questions now" ad-
monished Siddall, land do what l tell
YOU"
Siddall seemed so much in earnest
about 1t that Allen took a chance on
following out the scheme, and day
after day he might have been seen in
front OF the cigar store smoking large
black cigars, and pacing 10 and fro
nervously, like a woman waiting for
train. 1t was a discouraging task
he had let himself in on, and at the
"
to give it up, but he happened to meet
Siddall on the street, and the latter
urged him to stick right along.
And be sure" added Siddall, Ito
show up there promptly at l p. M"
On the twentieth day of Aliens af-
ternoon appointments with Destiny
something happened.
When Siddal walked into his office
TO go TO work, he found the city edi-
-tor with a woebegone face, looking
for all the world like a cab horse with
a secret sorrow
We're up against it," remarked the
city editor lugubriously
'How?" asked Siddall.
"Oh, nothing" said the city editor,
only that I've got the heaviest as
signment book we've had in months,
and three men are Off-two sick and
one suddenly called out of town. What
We're going TO do goodness knows;
don't"
We'll, the only thing 1 Sc to do is
to get hold of some extra help" sug-
gested Siddall calmly.
"Oh, ye-eh inc idea! Extra help.
But where in the name of the eternal
Sam Hill are we going TO get it?"
Il can get mana fellow by the
name of Allen-to take some of the
smaller assignments" said Siddall
He's been wanting a job
"Ah, you couldn't ever locate him
in year" protested the city editor.
Just leave that to me-" Siddall in
sisted, as he stepped out of the little
office. He grabbed the office boy led
him TO the front window, and pointed
to something across the street.
"See that big slob in front of the
cigar store?" said he. Hustle right
over there. tap him on the shoulder.
and tell him Mr.. Siddall wants TO see
him Immediately"
The office boy had scarcely had time
to beat it across the street when Allen
came bounding into the office with the
eXuberance of a collie pup.
Now you know why SOu have been
reporting to the cigar store every
day." said SiddalL. I'm about to get
you a job"
itor and ii was arranged that the big
chap should have days trial
Siddall called him aside for a iinal
word of warning.
Listen carefully to what the man
tells you" he said. and write all your
assignments down on piece of paper
Don't ask him any questions about
how to get the stuff. Just listen, and
don't say a word. Then come out
here in the hall and ] II show you how
to go about covering the assignments"
That was Aliens first few minutes
in the field of journalistic endeavor
Although that was fifteen years ago.
he has never been off the payroll of
that same newspaper clear up to the
present day. And in that period he