Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-10-07
CHAPTER XVI.
Swift Punishment.

vt was after 8 o'clock before Regi-
maid Nelson arrived at the Courier
office on the evening of the event
full July 4. He was surprised to
see his own private Office open when
he entered and to hear some one ma
nlpulating his typewriter. He passed
quickly inside and was amazed to see
Ned Rowlands working diligently at
the writing machine.
whats the matter, Ned?" he ex.
claimed. as your own typewriter
brokenT
"Have you not heard the news"
asked the other in response.
what news?"
''The directors had a meeting this
morning and gave me the position OF
editor of the Courier. l am sorry for
you, Nelson, but that edition Of yours
today was bad break, and / am
afraid 1t has ruined your life"
Ruined my llfe?" said Reginald
Nelson in a dazed way. Then he arous
ed himself. "Get out of here. Row
lands" he ordered. 81 am the editor of
the Courier" The Englishman's eyes
were shining as he spoke.
Sorry. old man." said the other ia
miliarly "but you'll have to take your
medicine Here is my Introductory
editorial" and Ned Rowlands handed
Reginald a sheet of typewriting. The
Englishman glanced at the headline
and saw that the article was entitled.
Greetings From the Courier's New
Editor" He tore the sheet of paper
into fragments and thrcw them on the
floor.
sect out of herer' he Numbered to
lis former city reporter.
Ned Rowlands laughed sarcastically
in his face and sneered: 'You forgot,
Nelson, that you were not working for
the public, but that you were working
for the Courier Publishing company.
They have no more use for you"
"And | have no more use for your
exclaimed Reginald, Selling the other
by the coat collar. ~ have wanted to
discharge you for a month. and do
it now. Your place is vacant"
AS he was speaking these words
Reginald marched Ned Rowlands to
the door of his private Office and push
ed him into the outer room. The GUST
ed city reporter made no resistance,
being alarmed at the excitement Of the
other. and he was Fastening away
when he ran square into q gentleman
who was approaching the editorial
sanctum.
Excuse me, sir" said Rowlands,
glancing up and seeing the face Of Mr..
Graham, white with anger.
''Come back with me, you coward"
said the lawyer in low tone. After
the expulsion Of his city reporter Reg
inald had slammed the door and had
just seated himself at his desk TO col
lect his thoughts when he heard the
voice of Mr.. Graham saying: "You are
discharged as editor of the Courier.
Mr.. Nelson. We have no further use
for your services. and you will oblige
us by leaving the office at once. We
have appointed Ned Rowlands In your
place"
Reginald Nelson turned and glared at
the intruders.
Come, come" said the lawyer
sharply. sect out of here"
"Who has discharged me?" asked
Reginald. restraining himself with diff
ficulty.
THE directors Of the Courier Pub
fishing company"
who are these directors?" asked
Reginald. II am a part owner of this
paper, and claim to have some voice
In the management" Reginald Nelson
had paid no attention to the business
management Of the newspaper. leaving
that entirely to Mr.. Graham.
IL control majority of the stock
of this concern" said Mr.. Graham lofti-
ly, "and l have decided that such a
person as you Is not fit to be editor of
the Courier. You will oblige me by
leaving this Office at once or l shall
be forced to have you expelled by the
officers Of the law"
Reginald Nelson slowly began to see
his hopeless position. He had looked
on himself as part owner and manager
Of his paper. He believed that his
course as an editor would be Judged
successful II he could keep his sub
scription lists growing. as. u newspaper
Is saved or damned by this standard in
the commercial world. Reginald felt
that his declining number of readers
was due to the incompetency of his
city reporter. and the consequent loss
of confidence In the Courier by large
numbers Of the working people. He
had been assured by the events of the
day that his bold attack ON the city
administration and his exposure of the
evils which were tolerated by the Bron-
son officials had re-established the
rra.lif Of tho mn nor m c.o.,..s.,.. f.l....l