Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-11-14
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Jeans Last
Assignment
By JOHN FRANCIS
(CopyrightD

CTANDING beside the desk of sam
- Morrell, managing editor of the
Morning Herald, Jean Reynolds was
almost tempted to draw her light coat
closer about her. so cold was the gaze
of that clever young executive. In
stead she continued to look steadily
at him, her large brown eyes as sin
cere as they were beautiful.
II don't want 10 be a society re
porter Mr.. Morrel," she said with
drawl that, reminding one of lazy
Southern stream rolling through Ken
lucky blue grass, added infinitely TO
the charm of her low. throaty voice.
"Pve been a general assignment re-
porter for two years, and want to
continue to be one, | am twenty-three
years old and h--l.bent TO get some
where, and can't get there by being
a society reporter"
I'm sorry, Miss Reynolds" Morrell
said CURLY, "but as I've just said, we
have no place here for you. I don't
hire women reporters. ! don't like
them" With which remark be low
cred his eyes to some copy which lay
on his desk. As far as he was con-
cerned the interview was over. Not
so with Jean.
II don't think it is fair of you TO
let personal prejudice enter into
business" she said Indignantly.
Ordinarily MorrelI would have ig-
nored a remark like that, but some
how jeans tone caused him to look
up at her again. Then he said;
"There are very few good women
reporters. and those that are good get
married and quit their jobs"
"How do you know. if you've never
hired anyf' flashed Jean.
The young managing editor was
about to answer her again when Jed
Duffy, the city editor called "Hey,
Sam, where's Barryl There's been an
accident at Market and Broad streets.
and l haven't got anybody here to
send out
"Barry's out of town, snapped Nor
rell. Get LaFalee on the phone. and
tell him to go over
al can't" said the city editor. Hes
at the fire W in the North End"
Jean had been listening ayidly to
the conversation. Turning quickly TO
the managing editor, she said: Let
me cover this accident It will give
you an opportunity to learn first hand
whether women are really good re-
porters."
MorreIl looked at her for a second,
and then, smiling for the first time
since Jean had been in the Office,
said: "0kay. lady, go to it. Let's
see what You can do"
When Jean returned with the details
Of the accident she summarized the
story for the managing editor, and
asked:
How much do you wantf'
about a half column Then, wink
ing at the city editor, he added ~And
it had better be good"
After reading jeans story Morrell
tossed it over to the city desk without
even looking at her His only com
ment was: "Not had for a girl re-
porter"
"Do l get jobi" asked Jean.
Eyes, guess you're worth trial.
But you probably won't stay long.
Just about the time you are beginning
to get valuable to us you undoubtedly
will get married"
"You needn't worry about that"
Jean laughed.
81 won't" Morrell retorted.
One evening about two months later
the managing editor stopped at Jeans
desk, and said: Put some powder
on your nose and come along to din.
ner. I want to talk TO you"
Jeans heart almost stopped beating.
Although she had done everything she
could to please him since she had been
on the Herald, Jean hardly had been
noticed by the managing editor. The
two brief sentences he had just ut.
tered contained the most friendly
words he ever had nj any time spoken
to her
$50 far I've been wrong about at
least one woman reporter" Morrel
began when he and Jean were seated
In a restaurant near the Office. you've
been doing fine work, Jean. but I'm
going to give you one more test. II
you stand this ri take back all 7 said
the day you came IN for n Job II
you don't. you're through"
what is the testl' asked Jean.
"You are going to help me cover
the two state political conventions,
fe 70 he HCl.
first one is next week."
jean worked harder during the next
two weeks than she ever had worked
before. But she had glorious time.
She was sure her work had been salts.
factory, for Sam had been unusually
kind, even tender at times, and be-
cause OF this Jean hardly could be.
lleye her ears when he told her she
was through as a reporter.
"You will find two weeks extrn pay
waiting for you at the Office" ne said
as the special convention train sped
them homeward. you've had your
last assignment"
"Whyl" asked Jean, incredulous.
Didn't | do good work.
you dld wonderful Work, darling"
Sam said. needless Of the other pas.
sengers as he slipped his arm around
her. but ! dOn't want you Ms re-.
porter any longer. ! want you as ny
wife. You see. I was right when I
said women reporters got married Just
about the time they were getting val.
liable to their newspapers"
"oh,' said lean, smuggling down
closer 10 him. Then: San
''Yes. deur"