Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1916-02-24
i SHORT-CIRCUIT STORY.
Author Of "A Taste for Adornment"
"The Boy Next Door," etc.


"The Boy Next Door," etc.
WELLS was discussing training"
with Everson and Woggs, while the
three sat in the big room of the Planet
Office, waiting for assignments. Usual
ly the topic discussed under such
conditions is the city editors remark
able dulness in not finding. promptly
upon space writer's arrival, snappy
assignment that will net about four
10 time for a leisurely dinner.
But It was nigh on three o'clock.
and the day was slow. The star man
had been sent out to interview a
gentleman who, according to the after
noon papers. had just been rescued
from all island in Great South Bay.
where since early December he had
! lived on clans: and this was the mid
die Of January. The second star man
was supposed to be gathering bombs
for an assault on the STRENGTHENING
department. The condition Of Park
Row was such a.; 10 make one believe
that the jon would be easy.
Il don't believe" said Woggs, that
Parker is on his way to Amityvilie to
see the Robinson Crusoe clam-eater.
hat would be foolish. by this time the
hero is either incapable Of further con.
versation. or is on his way to the
Flash office, q sandwich in either
hand. Training will tell Parker to
spend the afternoon in deep thought
at Tipton's bar. and then, with the aid
Of the last editions Of the evening
papers, he will write cracHerjack
story-much better than IL he had
seen the marooned mutt"
! Everson ventured probabilities In
the case Of Faffen, the man with the
! STRENGTHENING assignment.
Training" said he, will tell FAT
fen not to prowl the soggy streets, as
an amateur might, but to dig up the
energetic Mr.. Wagle, the predecessor
! Of the present commissioner. He'll get
more live wires from Wagle than he
would by walking every street in New
! York"
Wells got up and yawned.
! IN brief" he said, training In the
gathering Of news consists, not Of 70.
ing to the people who are at the dead
/ center Of things, but to find the people
: who will talk about things"
Fright" said Evrrson, who had
J once been attached TO London bur
tan. "To confirm rumor about a
crisis in tho balkans, you don't go TO
the Balkans, but TO certain club in
! London"
likewise" said WoaEs. IF you
! wish to know whether there is to be
! an extra session at Albany, you car
save railroad-fares and even telegraph
tolls by asking bartender al
Fo}6t's." ~
She city editors errand-boy gum
sheSd up to the trio. !,
."Mr. Wells" he said. "Mr. Harh
waits you."' ''..' -.
Hark talked to Wells for nearly five
minutes In very low tones. Then the
reporter, on his way for hat and coat
reioined Everson and Woggs for Z
moment.
Its a nice tough one!" he said
! The old man"-meaning HarH-"haE
got a private tip about robbery a.
the Van Glattens'--you know, Seven
tieth Street, just off the avenue. Mo-
q whisper has come rom police head
quarters about it. The story goes thai
a masked man rang the front door
bell last night, stuck up the butler
with a gun, and when Mrs. Van Glaa
ten came downstairs, on her way tt
dance at Merry's. he took pear
ronc and q lot of other junk from
her and got away with it. That's al
we know Jasper, at headquarters
hasn't been able to get anything about
II. The Van Glaatens, Of course: vii
do anything to choke off a sensation
Vegas tried to be helpful
"You know young Quorn, the fifth
deputy police commissioner, don''
you?" he asked.
yes" said Wells. 1--WE known hin
since We were boys. He might put me
right"
eff he doesn't" said Everson, "try
Matty Smith, one Of the plain-clothe5
men in that precinct. He's usually to
he found in Jim Drivers saloon on
Third Avenue, near the station-house
around six o'clock"
Wells made a note Of Smith. lie
didn't know the detective, but he knew
Brewer.
Then there's the cop on the beat,
said Wogcs. IF he isn't too sore, ne
might give Up. TIL him you'll have
him dash Up, just TOO :ate, in the
story"
/ And the Rcwes Protective Service
man on the block" volunteered Ever
ron "Ee might be- handy. If he wasn't