Evening star., 1914-03-08

HSVuV& What is this comic opera town.
QAl&I You managing editor, Harry. l will
M9V9N be city editor. Is there city to edit!
(RsSM&&y No matter
&XSS& No. said Howe He reached for the
greasy pack of cards. "We draw for it.
Come on High wins
lack announced O'Neil.
Deuce smiled Howe ~What are your orders,
O'Neil passed one hand before his eyes. "A steak,
he muttered well done-mushroom sauce-French
fried potatoes. I've always dreamed OF running paper
day. Hurry up with that steak +
Forget your stomach, said Howe. IF subordinate
may make suggestion we must get out newspaper.
All, whom have we here?'
a stocky, red-faced man appeared from the inner
and stood regarding them.
where's Mears and Ellott?' he demanded
"On train, riding far said ONeill. Il am tie new
managing editor What can do for you?a
"You can give me four columns of copy for the last
page of tomorrow's Mall said the stocky man
calmly. "Im foreman of something in there we call
composing room. Glad to meet YOU
-Four columns!' mused O'Neil. "Of what?'
The foreman pointed to row of battered books on
shelf Its been the CUSTOM, he said, ito fill up with
stuff out of that encyclopedia there.
Thanks O'Neil answered. He took down book
wen fix you up in ten minutes. Mr.. Howe, will you
please do me two columns on-er-mulllgatawny
murder mushrooms That's it, on mushrooms! The
life story Of the humble little mushroom! myself will
dash off column on the climate OF Algeria.
The foreman withdrew and Howe and O'NeiI stood
looking at each other.
"Oncer said ONeill, Il ran an editorial page in Bos
ton where you always fill space by printing letters
from citizens who wish to rewrite Lncons Gettysburg
Address, and do it right. But never struck anything
like this before
ME either said Howe. Mushrooms did you say2'
They sat down before typewrters
"One thing worries me- remarked O'Neill @If we'd
asked the president of the First National Bank for jobs
do you suppose we'd be in charge there now?
Write Man, write!' said Howe
The cattcr of their fingers the keys filed the
THEY looked up suddenly ten minutes LATER to find
man standing between them He little
man, clad all in whitesuit, Shoes stockings. His sly
old face lemon yellow and his eyes suggested
lights flaming in the dark woods at night
BEG pardon said the little
"Ah and what can do for youo' inquired O'Nei.
Nothing. Mr. Mearso Mr.. Ellott?7
"Gone. Vamosed. You speaking to the
managing editor of The Mall"
"Ah Indecd?'
ave are very busy. If you'll just tell what you
want
a merely dropped in. I am Manuel Gonzalc, owner
of The Mail"
Good Lord" cried O'Neil.
"Do not be disturbed. take it you gentlemen have
replaced NIears and Elliott | glad. Let them go.
You look like bright young to me-quite bright
enough employ YOU
Thanks" stammered the managing editor.
Don't mention it. Here is Madame On Dts col
for tomorrow. 1t the first page. As for
the rest of the paper, suit yourselves
O'Neil took the copy and glanced through it. "Are
there no libel laws down hereoa he asked
The material in that column said the little man,
his eyes narrowing, concerns only me- You must
dcrstand that at once.
"Thc Madame writes hot stuff, ventured O'Nel.
Il am the Madame, said the owner Of 4The Mail
with dignity
,Io1.,to