The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-03-09


the group of men. slipped to the other
side OF the hedge.
Il know you are very busy" she
said. She realized at once that IN"
man knew who she was and guessed
her errand. But then most servants
Of the lurge establishments did know
her and-perhaps because Of the bum
thcater tickets"-rather liked her. She
had never, that she remembered, had
any direct transaction with this one.
rs there anything doing here? I'm
looking for scoop for the News
none of the other papers have. How
have your drinks been selling"
The barkeep smiled knowingly and
said: Yes, madam" and IN see,
madam" Then, cOgitating for q mo-
ment Il don't believe as 'ow the
colonel wanted 1t to be published but
the men here patronizing this bar-all
strictly soft drinks. mind yOu-have
pledged two million dollars among
them TO build big American hospital
in France. It's rather interesting as
'ow it is 'appened at a dry bar with
all such men as ]. Z. Astorhilt and
Lancaster Stevens standing out and
! Shivering here over their lemon pop.
| It's almost pathetic, Miss, isn't it?'
Clarice's eyes showed right away
that she scented the germ for SEN
| sational story. The amount of money
| alone was enough to put 1t on the
! first page-and then the grim hulnor
| Of the chilly arb0r and the lemon pop
would add the touch Of local color. Il
could give you all the names OF the
men as are a-doin' it" suggested the
barkeep gravely.
A shadow of doubt came over Mar
garet's face, and she fumbled the small
sheets in the palm of her hand. but
if Colonel Drew isn't ready to have 1t
| announced7" she faltered. II don't
think I could use it unless he con-
| Sented."
The barkeep watched her narrowly.
perhaps as 'ow l could get is CON
sent" he said. 81 didn't think re-
porter of the News World would hest
tate just on account O not getting
consent It's Gratifyin' now and then
to find a paper that has such consd-
Grafton"
THE News World is that kind Of
paper" said Clarice solemnly.
So it was arranged between Clarice
and the barkeep that she should re-
turn at the break up of the bazaar and
| in the meantime he would see whether
or not the colonel would cOn5nnt to
giving the news She returned and
received q favorable verdict which sent
the color to her cheeks and the spar
kle Of success to her pretty eyes. She
asked the barkeep whether she could
have the big sign with the facetious
| list Of drinks. She thought their ar
list could copy it for cut to go with
the story and because It was too I'M
wieldy, the barkeep thought, for her
to carry back to the office in the street
car he arranged with one of the Chauf-
feurs to let him take out one of the
| cars In which to motor her back to
town. Yes, he, the barkeep-a butler
in the hOuse-knew how to manage a
| car, and when Clarice was quite sure
that Colonel Drew wouldn't mind hav-
ing him take the car she consented to
go with him. To refuse might have
hurt his feelings and after all why
should she-poor, ill-paid society re-
porter that she waS-be too proud TO
sit beside a butler of the establish
ment of Col. James Drew? She sim
cerely hoped that none of the APPROX
ing dowagers would see her thus con-
Quoting herself.
The baTkeep helped her out of the
car and gave her the poster. And as
he left her at the curbstone there was
q loOk-an eager, wistful look as she
thanked him for his kindness to her
that made her feel that after all social
distinctions were an absurdity. After
all, thought she, as she was trying 20
collect her ideas to write the article
that was to scoop the other papers and
make for herself name on the News
World-why shouldn't she Nike but
ler-it was a dogs life being report
er. She was sick of the noises OF the
office, She wondered whether buffers
who had wives were permitted I'd
have them live with them on the es-
tate. Perhaps they had snug little
cottages. She had heard that Colonel
Drew was very generous. OF one thing
she was quite sure and that was that
the butler would not forget her"
$50 you got a good story. hey?' the
city editor asked her. II know by your
expression. You look SO happy about
it. How dye do it?'
"Back-door method Of course" re-
torted Clarice, as she arranged the
paper in her typewriter.
1t was two months later and there
had been great excitement in the office
of the News World. The paper had
been bought by Col. James Drew-A
contamination which had been de
voutly wished by the editors for some
time. A new society reporter had
come and the city editor was giving
her instructions.
'In general, I'd say the back-door
method is the best" he said. "But
don't know. Our last society reporter
hot e