The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-19

AA/ Anderson never knew. unless
w II was because 1t had more
newspapers than Bay City.
Mich. and his ticket expired In its
vicinity. In fact. why he should have
given up an easy job as the mate of a
tugboat To enter the tortuous paths Of
literature he did not know. and. lacking
introspection. did not stop to analyze.
but. feeling the call to higher endeavor.
just simply went. Such things as prac-
teal experience and educational equip
ment were but empty words. for h, was
young and strong and the world Is kind
at 81.
To be sure, he had hoped to enter his
chosen field with lustier financial sinews
and to that end had bought an interest
in patent smoke consumer which
fireman on another tugboat sold him.
and In partnership with the inventor
had installed one beneath a sawmill
boiler as an experiment. While the
thing consumed smoke surprisingly IL
likewise Embarrassed such an amazing
army Of heat units that II melted the
crown sheet. wheredt the sawmill men.
being singularly coarse and unima gina
tive fellows. set upon the patentees with
ash rakes, drawbars and other ordinary.
unpatented implements. a lumberjack
beat holloway upon their ribs with a
peavey. and that night young Anderson
heard anew the call to journalism,
harked and hiked. arriving in Buffalo
with $3.50 to the good.
For 81 in advance he chartered q
furnished room for one week. carrying
with 1t meal at each end Of the day.
leaving superfiuity OF SO cents to be
spent in wassail AMI carousal.
Next day he bought a copy OF each
newspaper. and. gazing on them fondly,
decided there was but one upon which
he would care to bestow himself. so
weighed anchor and steamed through
the town in search Of a job. Walking
In upon the city editor Of the InteIH-
Dcnccr. he gazed with benevolent an
prevail upon that busy gentleman's
broad back. He liked the place. the
office suited him and lac decided to have
his desk placed over by the window.
After a time the editor wheeled, dis
playing young. smooth, fat face. from
which peered gray blue eyes with pin
point pupils.
"Well?" he queried.
Here I am" said Anderson.
What do you want?"
Work"
What kind?"
"Newspapering."
What can you doc"
Anything"
well. WELL" said the editor. You
don't look like newspaper man."
I'm not one-yet. But I'm going to
he"
Where have YOU worked?"
Nowhere! You see. I'm really a
playwright"
The editors face showed a bit of
interest. Playwright. Ell? Anderson,
Anderson" he unused. Don't recall the
name"
NO" said Paul. "I've never written
any plays yet. but I'm going to. That's
why l want to sort Of begin here and
get the hang Of this writing game"
A boy entered with some proofs at
that moment and tossed them upon the
table. disturbing the amazement OF the
newspaper man. who wheeled back to
his task. speaking over his shoulder:
I'm not running a school Of jour-
naism. Good-by."
Maybe you'd like me to do a little
space work"
mo! Get out. I'm busy"
Anderson retired gracefully, jIngling
his scanty handful of nickes and dimes.
and half an hour later thrust himself
boldly upon the notice Of another editor
with a similar result. Six times was
this repeated. and at every rebuff the
young man became more firmly con-
WINGED that journalism was his accepted
sphere.
That night after dinner ne retired t.
his room with the evening papers