Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-15

9l4
me. So | wrote the nterview-greaty expurgated
to expletives-very much he gave it; the
Of it, mean if anything that he had said could be
called sense. 1t blood-curdling talk My de-
lighted managing editor clapped the first column
Of the first page.
Of course the Consul General to London was
aghast when he read it board the steamer before
sailing the following morning. He sent the lead
ing New York paper Of his political faith flaming
denial that he had given such an intervew-that he
had talked at all with a reporter from my paper
This printed the next day My managing editor,
highly conscientious man, carpeted me- showed him
my shorthand notes Not only that, but brought
down the office the Gsey House clerk and three other
OF repute, guests Of the house. who backed up
to the effect that the politician had said every word
had quoted him as saying and great deal more
FOUND that really big invariably had fellow
feeling for who really the job and fought
hard for his foothold An experience had with the
late John Mackay was one Of the things to teach
this. Nlackay, as everybody knows, one of The
Big Four Of the celebrated Comstock Lode. Before
making that gigantic strike with his companions OF
The Big Four-Fair, Flood, and O'Brien-he had
worked for years in a red flannel shirt with pick and
shovel in the mines of California and Nevada. Enor-
wealth had not spoiled him. He remained what
might truthully be called all man But he was a
shy and reserved man. tacurn with his intinates.
Above all human things he dsked to be pinned for
interview by newspaper men, At this time he was the
active head of the Mackav Bennett cable company.
Something big broke loose in the cable world. This
the day before snowy, stormy Christmas in New
York My city editor another of the tribe with
the habit of telling his get this that whether
the thing was humanity possible not, and with
whom went. He ordered me to get a big
rstpagc talk with John Mackay about the cable
ton. | knew all about John Mackay's intense dislike
for being interviewed 1t dislike far pro-
found even than that of the late J. Pierpont Morgan.
So left the office desparng. Several times before
had foil of oh
| had failed ingloriously
| went to the old Buckingham apartments Fifth
where Mackay lived. \ sulkv St. Kits negro
elevator refused to take my card up to Mackay.
The postnan appeared in the vestbule the negro
was speaking, and the elevator man went forward
say something to the postman. stepped into the
elevator and clapped the iron door shut. l knew how
to elevator having done that work for two dol
lars a week in my boyhood. Also | knew which
floor Mackay lived When l reached that floor one
of the upper ones, stepped out OF the elevator and
raced to the front and rang Nackay's bell.
BY great good luck he himself answered the ring-I
found later that he alone in the apartment except
for his valet told him what wanted, working fast,
the vaudevillists GREATNESS with excite
ment My overcoat was caked with snow. | was in
deadly earnest. There was, knew no possibility OF
taking interview with such John Mackay.
The talk had to be genuine, word for word. Mackay
standing in the doorway, looked me over in a kindly
way; but he shook his head
"You very well know, Son. that don't talk for the
papers, he said 4 like all of you young fellows from
the papers Incidentally think all must be insane
to work the way you do for such little reward But
liking you and talking about business with
different things. You'll have excuse me- I'm afraid
Just at that instant the negro elevator
bouncing up the steps regain possession of his ele
He standing in the hall talking with
AIackay; but that fact didn't prevent him from rush
ing up to me and demanding to know how had dared
to seize his elevator
Mackay shut the negro up with gesture. His eyes
4, tb., ok. -.,I-,,