The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1930-02-21
The Suppressed
News
By BEATRICE vANDEcRlFT
2 - - -
(Copyright.l

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Copyright,
YOUNG Sam Davis had been a re-
porter on New York paper for
three months and stiN harbored the
idea that the one unforgivable sin In
Journalism was to come back without
a story. and that newspapers print all
the scandal they can get. the worse
the better.
One gray, rainy November day, the
city editor summoned Sam to hts desk
and told him that, for want OF bet
ter man. he was sending him to cover
the burial of the famous bandit who
had been hanged that morning.
Get all the dope you can." he COM
manded gruffly without looking up
from his blue-penciling. "Sob stuff.
And for Pete's sake. realize this Is
news and not shipping notes."
Sam Importantly displayed his pass
at the prison gates and restlessly
waited for the funeral Of the notorious
bandit who had confessed to twenty
two robberies and eight Killings, yet
who had shuddered when the court at
tendant had swatted fly. Just be.
fore his hanging he had given cold.
dispassionate speech on the evils OF
modern society. He had talked for
one hour, holding his cOndemners
spellbound, and significantly stroking
his own throat with his delicate white
hand.
And now it was Sans duty to write
the ending to his grim story. He
shivered a bit with the Importance OF
his assignment
The funeral cortege, consisting OF
a group of men who were hired to
bury dishonored men, appeared. Sam
watched as the interment took place
without drama. He talked bit with
the chaplain, but the chaplain knew
Of no sidelights that might be inter
esting. The party at last dispersed
and Sam was the only reporter left
He stood In the shadow OF the prison,
defeated and disgruntled. He felt he
simply could not return to his paper
without story.
as he was about to go, taxi drew
up and woman got out She was
muffled In black with thick veil over
her face. She walked hurriedly to
the new-made grave and gently laid a
sheaf of pale pink roses on the raw
earth. She stood a moment, her head
bowed. with the cold November wind
stirring her veil. then she entered the
cab and drove on. Sam followed In hot
haste. Something exciting was break
ing at last!
| The chase led him to quiet and
respectable street back In the city. In
| the window Of the house that the
woman had entered was doctors
sign. After few moments OF hesita-
ton In which Sam tried to summon a
| blase air, he rang the bell. The wom-
an answered 1t, numb, frightened
| look In her eyes.
"Good afternoon" began Sam briskly
MAY l come in? represent the Daily
| Press and l want to obtain an inter
view. l saw you at Arnold's grave q
while ago."
The woman pressed hand to her
white lips, but motioned Sam to enter
leading him to cozy Hying room with
a low fire on the hearth. A little
girl came In once during the interview
to announce that her daddy had come
in but had gone out again. A doctor
surmised Sam, as the sign In the
window indicated. But what was this
quiet, pretty woman's connection with
the notorious banditf
He broached the subject bluntly
as he imagined an experienced report
er would.
"Just what was your interest ir
Arnold, MADAME" he inquired. looking
through his pockets for pencil.
II was his sister," she answered
In a low. unsteady tone. II hadn',
seen him for years. since he ran away
from home. Even my husband did no
know that | was his sister. But
couldn't let him be buried alone, ever
In dishonor." Tears welled in hel
eyes. 81 know I risked great dea
by going to his grave" she added
"My husbands reputation, my chill
drens future The press Is a yer.
powerful thing" she smiled wanly
"and beg you not to print this story.
"Tm sorry" refused Sam. II can
suppress news that belongs to th'
public. 1t wouldn't be fair"
He left the house, haunted by th'
look Of despair In the woman's eye!
but elated at the thought that he haC
a scoop. No other paper would be car
rying the story.
\ He dashed into the editorial room!
and made for the city editors desk
blurting his tale with youthful en-
thusiasm. The city editor tipped bacl
In his chair and eyed him withou
emotion as he talked.
Then when Sam stopped for breath
he spoke.
"Never mind It," he commanded
"Kill 1t, Davis. Forget 1t. 1t woul(
make hot reading all right, but thi.
paper isn't In the business OF running
respectable women's regulations ant
blasting kids futures. Arnold's sister
you say? Forget 1t. The dame yol
saw wasn't anybody"