University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-07-09
Continued from last issue)

Boys" he said, Il thaul you. from
the bottom of my heart. I've 3eeh
running this alleged newspaper Tor
two long dreary years, and this laugh
you've just handed me is the first I've
had during that time. Vacancies
There is one-a big one. See my
! pocket for particulars. Two years
boys. And all the time hoping -
praying-that some day I'd make two
dollars and sixty cents, which is the
railroad fare to the next town"
Howe and O'Neill listened with
faces that steadily grew more sorrow
full.
I'D like to stake you to a meal"
the editor went on. But mans first
duty is to his family. Any burglar
will tell you that"
81 suppose" ventured O'Neill, most
of the flash gone from his manne.,
there is no other newspaper hefeo"
NO. there isn't. There's a weird
thing here called the San Marco Mail
"a morning outrage. It's making
money, but by different methods than
Id care TO use. You might try there
You look unlucky. Perhaps they'd
take you on"
He rose from his chair, and gave
them directions for reaching the Mail
Office.
Good night. boys" he said.
Thank you for calling. You're the
first newspaper men I've seen in two
years, except when I've looked in the
glass. And the other day | broke my
lookingglass. Good night, and bad
luck go with you to the extent of jobs
on the Mail"
"Cynic." breathed O'Neill in the
street. "A bitter tongue maketh a
sour face | liked him not. A morn
ing outrage called the Mail Sounds
promising-like smallpox in the next
county"
I'VE shall see." said Howe, that
which meets our vision. Forward,
march,"
THE alligator and l." muttered
O'Neill. "famished, perishing. For
the love of Allah, as | remarked be-
fore aims"
In the dark second-fioor hallway
where the Mail Office was suspected
of being, they groped about deter
minedly. No sign of any nature pro-
claimed San Marcos only morning
paper. A solitary light, shining
through a transom, beckoned. Boldly
O'Neill pushed open the door,
To the knowing nostrils of the two
birds of passage was waited the odOr
they loved, the unique inky odor of
a newspaper shop. Their eyes be-
held a rather bare room. a typewriter
or two, a desk. In the center of the
room was a small table under an cleo
trio lamp. On this table was a bot
tie and glasses, and at it two silent
men played poker. One of the men
was burly and bearded the other was
slight, pale, nervous. From an inner
room came the click of linotypes-
lonesome linotypes that seemed to
have strayed far from their native
haunts.
The two men finished playing the
hand, and looked up.
Good evening"" said O'Neill, with
a smile that had drawn news as a
magnet draws steel in many odd cor
ners. Gentlemen, four newspaper
men meet in a strange land. | per-
ceive you have on the table a greeting
unquestionably suitable"
The bearded man laughed, rose and
discovered two extra glasses on
nearby shelf
Draw up," he said heartily. "The
place is yours. You're as welcome as
payday"
Thanks" O'Neill reached for
glass. Let me introduce ourselves
And he mentioned his own name and
Howe's.
Call me Mears," said the bearded
one I'm managing editor of the
Mail. And this is my city editor. Mr..
Elliott"
Delighted" breathed O'Neill. "A
pleasant little haven you have found
here. And your staff don't see the
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