New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-01

othcr was Shght, pale, nervous. From an
inner room came the click of linotypcs -
lonesome hnoypcS that seemed to have
straycd far from their native hauntS.
The two men finished playing the hand,
and looked up.
Good evening" said O'Ncill with a
smile that had drawn news rs a magnet
draws steel III many odd corners. Gentle
men, four newspaper men meet i'll a strange
land. | perceive YOU have on the table a
greeting unqucStionably suitable
The bearded man laughed, rose, and dis
covered two extra glasses on nearby shelf.
Draw up, he said heartily. The place
is yours. You're as welcome as payday"
"Thanks.' O'Ncill reached for a glass
Let us introduce ourselves And he men
toned his own name and Howc's.
Call me MearS, said the bearded one
I'm managing editor of The Mail And
this is my city editor Mr.. Elliott
delighted" brcathed O'Ncill "A pleas
ant little haven YOU have found here And
Your staff don't see the members of your
staff running in and out.
MIR. O'Neill, said Nlears imprcssively,
YOU have drunk with the staff of The
Mail"
You two?" O'Neill's face shonc with
JOY. GLORY be! DO YOU hear that, Harry;
These gentlemen all alone on the premises.
He leaned over, and poured out cloqucntly
the story of the tragic flight from Mobile
81 call this luck, he finished. Here we
are, broke, eager for work. And We find
YOU minus a"
O'Ncill stopped; for he had seen a sickly
smile of derision float across the face OF the
weary city editor. And he saw the bearded
man shaking his great head violently.
Nothing doing, said the bearded man
firmly. Sorry to dash Your hopes always
ready to pour another drink. But-thcre
are no vacancies here. No, Sir! Two Of us
are plenty and running ovcr-ch, Biz
Plenty and running over agreed the
city editor warmly.
Into their boots tumbled the hearts OF the
two strangers in strange land. Gloom and
hunger cngulfcd them. But the managing
editor of The Mail" WAS continuing and
what was this he was saving?
NO, BOYS we don't need a staff. Have
just as much use for a manicure SET But
YOU came at an OppOrtune time. Wan
derluSt-it tickleS the SolcS Of four feet to-
night, and those four feet are editorial feet
on The Mail Something tells lis that we
are going away from here. Boys, how would
YOU like Our jobs
He stared placidly at the two strangers.
O'Neill put one hand to his head
~See me safely to my park bench, Harry,
he said. at was that drink on an empty
stomach. I'm al in daze. hear strange
things.
al hear 'em too, said Howe. "Sec here,
he turned to Mears, ARE YOU offering to re-
sign in Our favor
The minute YOU say the word.
Both Of YOU
Believe me, said the city editor, you
can't say the word too soon.
We'll, said Howe, Il don't know what S
the matter with the place, but YOU can con-
slider the deal closed.
spoken like a SPORT The bearded man
stood up. you can draw lots to determine
who is to be managing editor and who city
editor. It's an excellent scheme attained
my proud position that way. One condition
attach. Ask no questions. Let us 90 Out
into the night unburdened with your inter
rogation points.
Elliott too stood The bearded man indi-
Gated the bottle. Fill up, Boys. propose
a toast To the new editors of The Mail
May Heaven bless them and bring them
safely back to the North when Florida's fit
full fe, er is past,"
Dizzily, uncertainty, Howe and O'Ncill
drank. Mears reached out a great red hand