The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-28
HAD always from my early youth
intended to be a newspaper
man. To this end I fitted my

self in every way imaginable and
at the proper time obtained a billet
on the New York star. To my sur
prise I discovered the latter item to
be the most difficult of accomplishment,
but by means of my acquaintance with
Senator Mengel I succeeded in obtain
ing a chance--on space.
SO great was my enthusiasm for my
new duties that I did not even take
time to look about me in the city, but
reported at noon on the day of my
arrival. This seemed to me at the
time and has seemed ever since most
Commendable in me, for all my life
heretofore / had resided in a small
prairie town of the middle West.
l sent my letter through an office
boy to Mr.. Stevens, the city editor
and friend of Senator Mengel. with
whom my correspondence had been.
To my surprise I was shown into the
presence of a man Of very young APP
pearance. He looked me over in a
manner not at all flattering. asked me
half a dozen aimless questions. in
formed me that he would soon give
me an assignment and dismissed me
in charge of the office boy.
The latter led me into a large room
full of desks, shaded lights n young
men. A few Of the latter were pound
ing on some of the numerous type
writer's, but most lounged, smoked and
conversed in low voices or read copies
Of the Star. I seated myself modestly
at one side. None paid me the slightest
attention.
Thus ! spent the day. From time
to time a speaking tube shrieked out
a mans name. At this one of the
reporters would disappear. In time l
was left quite alone and it had grown
dark. had not eaten since Don but
/ did not dare leave.
Toward 5 o'clock young Mr.. Stevens
rushed into the room and looked about
rather wildly. He used some queer
expressions.
Not one of these spangle leg key
Founders back YETI" he snorted.
"Wha is this? a rest cure. what?'
As / was the only inmate Of the
room I answered, although the city
editors remark was not thrown in
my direction. I told him hat to the
best If my belief this was not a rest
cure but the reporters room of the
Star. AT this he whirled on me sud-
denly.
Who are your" he demanded.
/ recalled my identity to his men,
DRY.
ooh, yes, the cub he commented
disparagingly. He looked around again
as though hoping to evolve somebody
else from the shadows.
Well, come here he growled at
last" You'll have to do" He sat on
one corner Of a table.
Look here he began. do You
know anything about ships?'
AS a matter of fact l had never
seen one, but l had read a great many
able works by Cooper, Clark Russell
and others and l have always main
tanned that a clever and resourceful
man need never really confess igno-
rance Of anything. So l told him quite
confidently that | did.
That's odd he cried, apparently
somewhat relieved. 1.-TWO years ago a
ship called the Nancy Lee disappeared
somewhere in the South Seas. a
boatload of the crew came ashore at
Honolulu, but scattered Immediately.
There were JUNIORS of mutiny, trouble,
what hot
Now I've just got a private tip
that the mate Of the Nancy Lee has
showed up in town. Nobody knows
it now; but tomorrow every news
paper nan in own will be on. | want
his story. 1t may be a big one, for
just now the firm that owned the
Nancy Lee is of international impor-
lance.
You must go down and get it. He
may be a shy bird-I wish | had a
more experienced man to send. BE
back by IL at latest. Here's the adj
dress of the saloon where you'll find
him"
He shook his head s~orrowfully. l
took the care with the address and
went out, highly elated at the oppor-
tunity so Unexpectedly mine.
BY constant inquiry ! at length
found my way to the saloon. This
proved to be on the waterfront, not
so far from the star office, but reached
only through a bewildering maze of
streets. The place itself was mean
and dingy.
I entered directly into a smallish
room whose floor vas covered with
damp sawdust. A bar dow one side
and three tables and a stove filled
nearly the whole space.
! recognized my man at once. In
deed, save for a farmer looking indi-
vidual in cap and blue denim overalls,
he was the only customer of the place.
A hasty reference to my memoranda
reminded me that his name was
SCrOggs.
At the moment he leaned against
the bar under a lamp, where ] had a
fun view of him. He was short, very
round, had a red jolly face and fat
legs. ! recognized him the more