Newspapers / Gastonia Daily Gazette (Gastonia, … / Jan. 11, 1910, edition 1 / Page 6
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fitfi alstom cxts.rtt V Estate Novelized by FREDERICK R. TOOMBS From the Great Play of the Same Name by Joseph Medill Patterson and Har riet Ford. & & COmtGIT, 1909. BT JCStM mcdill patterson ahu arkiet ford. In The Fourth Estate" the effectiveness of newspapers in fearlessly exposing political and judicial corruption and the safeguard they are to the public are interestingly and convinc ingly set forth. A young, earnest newspaper writer and editor is the central figure, and his bat tles with a dishonest United States judge against big odds and against the cunningly under handed machinations of the law yer lobbyist Dupuy form one of the most valuable as well as most entertaining pieces of fic tion of the day. That the false judge's daughter, the reigning beauty in the fashionable life of a leading city, should play a sensational pari in this gripping story of strong honest men and of strong dishonest men. fight' ing each other in a war of dol tars, evidences the romantic possibilities of the narrative. This is a story of today's America, a fact story torn out of life's book, dealing with the most vital issues that confront every one of us. Romance and humor vie with stirring action for su premacy in this instructive and fascinating novel, which teaches that the path of duty is the path to love and happiness and that in success, nobly won, lie re wards of greater and more last ing value than in a triumph ig nobly and more easily gained. "Hello, Miss Stowe! Get me Mr. Nolan Mr. Michael Nolan on tbe wire right away." As tbe managing editor buns up tbe receiver Moore, the night eOUor. en tered carrying a bundle of galley proofs In bis left baud, a schedule In bis right. "Well. Moore, what have you got for part IT asked McElenry. The night editor related npldly in a dead Oat monotonous voice: "Thirtv-five columns of ads. Tele graph editor's hollering for twenty col umns. He Just got a couple of nice flashes one from Pittsburg about a man eloping with his daughter tn-law; very line people. Auomer ursi ciass murder from St Louis. laical has twenty-sis scheduled, sports ;ire very heavy, bowling, fights, checkers, and Kentucky's shut down on racing; they want two pages. We ve got a tip tnat Morgan bat tbe asthma, steel will probably open soft on Monday." McHenry took down the telephone receiver and held It expectantly at bis ear. He took the proofs from Moore's hand and pegan looking them over. They contained Important articles which had been set up. bat which he bad not previously seen. "Hello, there's a lire one." he sud denly exclaimed, glancing over one of Mcnenry rang for the boy. Durkln, nd on bis belated arrival sent blm to summon the city editor. nat you got?" saluted McUeury as tbe editor arrived. Downs, the city editor, went straight to the point. "Are you going to use that follow op story about Judge Bartelmy throwing tbe Lansing Iron company Into a receivership?" be queried. '1 dunno. Any kick 8 on this morning's story T' 'I should nay yes telepboue going all day. McHenry turn ed and pounded the desk with bis fist If they kicked on that tbeyd gel our jobs on this ." He pointed at the proof of tbe new Bartelmy story which he bud taken from Moore. 'lUmhle divorce. They crchaJigcd partner." CHAPTER I. Burke said there were three es tates in parliament, but In the re porters gallery yonder there sat a Fourth instate more Important far than mey all. Carlyle. SI Henry elgbleeu work In HE silence in tbe managing editor's room of the Daily Advance was abruptly broken by the entrance of Ross Mc- through a private door. His years of active newspaper a career exteuding from cub reporterbood to his present important office bad drilled Into blm the necessity. Ten the habit, of coustant action, quick thought keen and accurate per ception and readiness for emergencies. He nastily threw off his coat glanced at several papers laid on bis desk while be was out at dinner and seated himself in bis managerial chair. He wrote a few rapid words on a pad of paper at his right hand as he pushed button with his left to summon an office boy. "Any one here while I was gone?" McHenry queried sharply as tbe boy entered. - "Yes, sir. Woman whose boy was pinched wants to keep It oat of tb' paper. Been outside two hours. She's alttin' outside an' bawls an' bawls an' bawls." "Tell her we're printing a newspa per and I've left for the night." "Then there was a few phone calls. We bandied 'era all 'cept tb' last. He was a man nam ed Nolan, an' be wanted ter see you." McHenry im mediately be came interested. "What'd you tell him?" be asked, rising. "That you was to th' theayter." The managing editor picked up a Congressional Directory and shied it forcibly at the lad. "Well, next time, young man, you tell him I've last stepped down to tbe Nolan; remember "WhaTd you tell Mmf" night editor's room. his na me Nolan. He's tbe new owner." "Cheese it. another owner. Nobody . keep as long, do they?" "No." responded McHenry laconical ly. "Like certain other luxuries, no body keeps os loaf- We're too ex ' pensive. Durkln." . The boy grinned and honied away to summon the night editor at McHen t7a command and to dispose of th "bawling woman. JJcHenry seated himself and turned to the ever ready- telephone at the rlt band comer of his desk: . McHenry turned U the telephone. tiie sheets. "Bill, I'd like to run that one. Senator Deerlag dead yet?" "No. not yet" Tbe managing editor was dlsguted. "Pshaw!" he exclaimed. "I'll bet the old codger dies for tbe afternoon pa pers. We're having rotten luck lately." The telephone rang. "Hello! Who's this?" cried McHenry savagely. But his voice changed ab ruptly to Its most sugary tones. "Oh, Mr. Nolan, tliU is Mr McHen ry. Yes; why. the boy KUid I'd gone to the theater. He's new to newspaper offices. Yes, Indeed. He doesn't know we newspaper men have little time for theaters no. Indeed-ba. ha! 1 was downstairs In the press room all tbe time yes. Indeed; trouble with tbe roller on cylinder 5 of the color press, and I happen to have a bit of a mecbaulcal turn of mind yes. indeed. Anything I can do for you. sir? Hope we may have the pleasure of showing you over tin- office-your ofbee pretty soon. Yes. sir. Touight? Ves. any time. We're always here. yes. sir. Thank you." He hung up the receiver and re verted to his natural voice. "It's the new boss. Moore. S coming down to night" "I wonder if that means more changes?" observed the night editor as be filled bis pipe. McHenry sighed. "Ain't a man who gets into this business a sucker?" The night editor smiled grimly. "Wonder what kind of a Joke Is this Nolan anyway?" be asked. The night editor's brow wrinkled. "All I know Is that he's a Colorado miner with a bill of ore all bis own." He glanced over the night editor's schedule. "What is this T-T-golf or politics r "Taft both; golf 2 down-conference with Aldrich." McHenry snorted. . "Gosh, the White House is ln,A sine Teddy left.- He pointed to the sched ule. "What's this? 'Baltimore, one col umn.' " "Double divorce. They exchanged partners." "Good people V Not much." "Fifty words 11 be enough. Dead heavy -stupid paper." granted the man aging editor. All tbe same, tbe Judicial ermine is getting rather soiled these days. It makes me sore to think of what they're pulling off on tbe federal bench. He's bud all through. that Bartelmy. Whose story is It- Brand's?" "Yep." responded the city editor. By heaven, be is a newspaper man." "That's why be won't last In this of fice," put In Moore sarcastically. Yep." supplemented the city editor. McUenry's face took on a resigned expression ss be said: "Well, we'll have to pass it up." He paused. "It's likely to be libelous." He laid uslde tbe proof sheet and re sumed bis perusal of the schedule of articles Intended to be used In the next morniLs paper. "How about divorces?" McHenry asked suddenly, raising his head to the city editor. "The Sarrup divorce Is up again. Two new corespondents named " He pointed them out among the photos. McHenry drew a few lines on one of tbe photos and rung for the boy. "Bring me an artist. Durkln." he or dered. Tbe artist soon appeared. "Here," spoke up the managing ed itor, "take these corespondents and run 'em with the two you had yester day, but fix those up differeut Put a hat on one and tbe other in low neck, and put Sarrup himself in the middle with a dado of hearts around." Mc Henry changed his mind. "No; make it a big question mark of cupids and the caption 'Which of These Women Does This Man Love?' Yes. and frame In his wife too. Three columns." "Yes, sir." responded the artist, starting away with the photos. But McHenry called him back. "Hey!" he cried. "Make that 'Which of These Beautiful Women Does This Man Lover " The artist bowed In acquiescence and escaped. McHenry took up another photo graph. "Ha. what a beauty !" he said en thusiastically. "What's sue been do ing?" "She is Judith Bartelmy, the Judge's daughter. She gave a reception to day," answered Downs, the city ed itor. "High society all there as usual. 1 suppose?" mused McHenry. "Tbe Barteimys are an old family, and they've held on to some of their money. Here, Downs," he went on. "play her np for two no. three col umns. Maybe it will square It with tbe judge for what we did to blm in tbe paper this morning. You explain to an artist." "All right" "Tbe new boss, Nolan, is coming down to look us over tonight." added McHenry. "Wonder where we'll all be working next week?" was the city editor's re ply over his shoulder as be quickly made his exit The boy came In and laid a card on the managing editor's desk. "Miss Judith Bartelmy!" exclaimed McHenry as be glanced at It. "WelL what do you think of that. Moore r "It's a kick sure, and"- "By the way." interjected McHenry deliberately, "this girl. Judith Bartel my. Isn't she engaged to Wheeler Brand?" "Seems to me I've beard something of tbe sort." assented Moore vaguely. "Well, same ber. and Brand wrote that story this morning showing np her father, tbe Judge, ss a trickster of the worst most dangerous sort. Now the girl comes to this office probably to defend her dad. Say. Moore" the managing editor waa becoming excited "things are getting warm around here. Brand certainly had hie nerve wttb"blm'u hand 'such 'V roast lb hU prospectlvt father-in-law." McUeory turned abruptly to one side and reached for bis coat which b quickly donned. "Show her In." be called to tbe boy. Moore hastily retreated from the room as Judith Bartelmy entered, leaving the Judge's daughter alone with the iuauaglog editor. McHenry bad long flattered bluisvlf thai be bad met many attractive women In his time, but as be rose to meet Judith Bartelmy and surveyed this fash ionably gowned youug woman be made a mental note that she surpassed them all. Her blond rem urea were of distinctly patrician isst. Her blue eyes bad the maguetlc qualities so en vied by tbe many less fortuuate wo men, and tbe pure whiteness of her finely carved cblo and neck was ad vantageously revealed by the low cut collar of ber princess gown of wine colored silk which clung to a figure that celebrated artists had pronounced unusual In Its symmetry. "1 desire to complain about the ar ticle attacking my father this morn ing." the girl began. "Yea?" answered McHenry. "I wish an apology for It" "Is this a message from your fa ther r "That's not the point This Is the first time In bis life tbat any one has ventured to question his honor. The article is false, and 1 think your pa per should apologize for It immedi ately." "Before saying as to that." returned the managing editor, "1 should have to refer the matter to tbe new pro prietor, Mr. Nolan. You know it la not customary for a uewspaper to take back what It says." The judge's daughter raised ber eye brows In surprise as she drew close to McHenry 's desk, where be bad resum ed his seat "I should think you'd have a good many lawsuits." she suggested. "Oh, no; not many. We go up to the line, but we try not to step over It' He picked up several newspapers from bis desk. "For instance" scanning tbe papers"! don't think your father will feel inclined to sue os." He rose as if to end tbe interview. Judith, however, was not to be thus disposed of. "I don't waut to detain you." she re marked, "but I should like to ask you who was responsible for that article. She seated herself in a chair which McHenry Indicated. "We never tell the name of our writ era," answered tbe managing editor. Her father had diplomatically sug gested to her tbat Wbeeler Braud might have writteu the story. This she found difficult to believe. But she must be convinced, and one of ber motives in visiting tbe newspaper bad been to ask him to ask him to tell ber tbat be was not tbe author of tbe new attack on her father. She must see him and learn tbe truth from his lips alone. "Is Mr. Brand in tbe office now?' she asked. "Yes. I think so." "WoulJ it be possible for me to see him?" "Why. yes. If you wish. I'll send for him." McHenry summoned tbe boy and told him to "ask Mr. Brand to come in." "We've noticed" she hesltated-"all his friends have noticed tbat he's be coming very radical lately." Judith rose from tbe chair aud stepped uerv ously toward the editor's desk. "Oh." he laughed, "they all get that when they're young, like tbe measles." "And that's something tbey all get over. Isn't It?" she asked eagerly. "Yes." respouded McHenry. stirring as though to leave tbe room. Judith stepped squarely In front of his desk. "But I don't want to disturb you. Can't I go to his office?" "He hasn't got any office, and they're all bunched In tbe local room In their shirt sleeves smoking. You wouldn't like it We haven't a reception room." McHenry laughed as he spoke. In his shirt sleeves, rolled to bis el bows, with quick steps and squared shoulders. Wheeler Brand, one of the ablest men on the city staff of the Advance, strode Into the office of the j managing editor through tbe door lead ing from tbe city aud telegraph rooms. "Yes. Bir." be greeted McHenry. Then be stopped short both in bis steps and In bis speech. He bad caught sight of tbe managing editor's visitor. "Why. Judith!" be gasped. "What in heaven's name are you doing here? I" At this point words failed him. and be stood staring at her. with his breast heaving violently as tbe re- salt of bis surprise. The girl was also deeply disturbed In spite of ber previous knowledge that sbe was to be confronted by tbe man she loved. McHenry thought tbat tbe moment had arrived when bis presence was no longer necessary. "Miss Bartelmy has asked to see you for a few minutes." be said, rising and starting toward a door. "You may talk here." A handful of proof sheets rustled In bis grasp as be disappeared. Wbeeler Brand started toward the girl "Is there anything tbe matter?" he queried anxiously. She hesitated before answering. Then she spoke determinedly. "Yes; two things. First, yon did not corns to my reception this afternoon; secondly, there Is that article about father this morning." "I couldn't get off from tbe office to attend the reception, and I am awful ly sorry." be protested. "Bat as for the story abont year father well, did he send yon bereT" "No. be didn't .send me. v But I couldn't help seeing bow disturbed he was. and" Then be knew yon were coming?" . . "Why, ye." Jodith waa trying hard to understand what he' meaof byseek log out bar father s knowledge of ber preseut mission, one which was to ber decidedly, unpleasant Wheeler waa plainly impressed, and unfavorably so. at tbe girl's reply. "Oh!" be ejaculated disappointedly. Tbe quickly tblnklug girl detected the significant toue of tbe newspaper writer's reply aud hastened to ex plain. ; "1 beard my father say at dinner that he feared there would be another attack tomorrow." she said, "and I hoped through you to prevent Its pub lication and to make the Advance apologise for what It aald this morn ing. 1 don't see bow your paper dares to publish such things." "But Judith." be answered, "we couldn't dodge a atory aa big aa that We bad to print It. That's what we're here for." But she was still Insistent "Oh. of course, print tbe story, but mesa the Insinuation all through. Why, by using such unfair means, newspapers can bring discredit on any one. Mr. Mc Henry rerusea to apolo gize. He wouldn't even tell me wbo wrote It Do you know?" Brand gave a violent start At first In her present mood, be hardly dared answer the girl. With a determined effort he pulled himself together and answered her question. "Yes, I know who wrote It" "WboT Judith leaned toward him, gazing Intently Into bis eyes. "I wrote It" be announced. Judith started back aghast "You. Wheeler? Why?" she cried hysterically. "I had no choice." He struggled to maintain his grip on himself. 'You bad no choice?" Judith, when this Lansing Iron case first broke loose." Brand responded firmly. "I saw straight off that It was one of tbe alickest well, tbat there was a big story In It I dldo't know your father was involved Id this st first I Just followed the path, nnd when I saw where it was leading me I wanted to turn back because ot you. but I couldn't" He stopped for a m ment then went on: "No. no. I could not stop not even for you!" "But It Isn't loyal of you." was her response. "It wasn't like you to at- 7 wrote (t, Judith," he annmtncetl. tack blm suddenly In thin way. It's almost as If you struck him from be hind. And do you not see, Wbeeler, that you are hurting me as much as you Injure him? I am his daughter. Wheeler, and If you ruin my father you will ruin me." Sbe covered ber face with ber bands, and ber bosom heaved convulsively In her anguish. CHAPTER II. HEELER BRAND gazed at the girl, and above bis own misery rose his sympathy and' thought for her whom be longed to comfort, for tbe girl of bis w choice, whom duty said be must cause to suffer. He yearned to take her In his arms and wipe away tbe tears, but he knew tbat sbe would repulse blm. He throbbed wttb tbe desire to prove to her bis love by assuring ber that tbe attack on ber father was ended but his duty whispered, "No." And to himself be repeated tbe "No." For be must go on, and she must en dure, and tbe judge must nay tbe price. -i The voice of an outraged people bad spoken through tbe pen of Wheeler Brand, and he was one of those men strong enough to refuse to take the price of silence. He led the girl be loved to a chair. even as sbe sobbed and whlsiered. "Wheeler. Wheeler. Wheeler," endear ingly from her heart's depths. Brand looked down on ber with a world of sadness in his eyes. He well knew, and the world would soon know, tbat those who sit In tbe high places must pay tbe penalty for sin. even as tbe lowliest among us who tnore blindly goes astray. Judith Bartelmy bad been long enough In society to learn tbe art of the control and the concealment of emotions under many trying clreum- stances. Probably in any other situa tion than In one where her father and tbe man sbe loved were wn deeply concerned, as In the present she would have been able to retain a larger degree of self composure. Several . minutes passed before she waa able to spesk In eve'nly balanced tones. - ' - woeeier, sue noauy saio. u any ene had told me that you would or toutd do wbat you have done agaluat my father, against my family"-ber voice began to break Ngalu-"agHltii me, 1 would uot have believed It, . And you have not told me tbat you will cease your attack." : Brand thought to palliate ber. He tested himself on a corner of tbe man ailng editor's desk aud bent toward , ber as she sat lu chair near blm. "Now. Judith, let me try to explain." he said eotreatlugly. "1 tbluk 1 run make you understand. You e,'tu Lansing iron company owned a lot ot valuable properties ore ranges, ma chinery, railroad trackage, etc. If It had been mauaged halfway It would now be a wealth producing business, but' some of our speculators down town were trying to get bold of It to gamble with. They ' wanted to milk It as the saying Is, by watering It Tbey did have a stock market battle or two, which profited nobody but tbe lawyers on both aides. But. tbey Dual ly got R by Juggling It Into recelv ersblp. which tbey never could bavt done If a United States Judge bad uot been willing to exceed his functions. Tbat Judge was your father. "Since the works shut down," be went on strongly, "the men are out of employment, and tbe gamblers bar, got rich because the comiwny's gone broke. That's just wbat bappeued, and tbat'a all 1 aald." "But It wasn't your facts, I tell you. It waa your Insinuation that waa false." "Not Insinuation Interpretation." "But It wasn't true It wasn't true." "Oh. yes. It was true, and more." Judith verged on tbe hysterical again. "If you loved me as you pretend to, no matter If you thought It true or uot. you could not bave written tbat arti cle." "Can't you see tbat I wasn't writing about your father, but about a United States judge who" Sbe moved fart ber away from him. "That's splitting hairs. Wheeler." He walked to ber side. "Judith, please please don't let's quarrel about this." The girl turned to blm Impulsively. "Oh. Wbeeler. we were on tbe Terge of It. weren't we?" He cast his arms around ber. "You're sorry, aren't you?" She looked fondly Into his face. "And you will take back that article, won't you?" "You mustn't ask me to do tbat; I can't" looking at ber earnestly. "You cantr "No." Judith drew away from him a step or two. Sbe surveyed blm coldly. "Wbeeler. 1 came here thinking only of my father, but 1 suddenly find my self facing a much more serious ques tionnot wbat kind of a mau be is. but wbat kind of a man are you." Brand was deeply cut by her manner and her Intonation. "Judith. If you only knew the truth, all of It things I can't tell you, you'd be with me heart and soul In what I'm trying to do." He caught ber In bis arms again. "Whatever I've done or whatever I may do 1 love you." be Insisted pas sionately. Judith showed equal fervor as sbe said: "And you're more to me than my father, but for my sake you mustn't work against him. How could we ever be happy together If you did? You'll do this for me. Wheeler, just this? 1 want you to carry out your ideals and live up to your higb pur poses in every other way, . but you must not attack blm. Promise me tbat you'll never do it again. Won't you promise me that? And you'll re tract that article you bad tbls morn ing. You'll do tbls for me. Just this?" "Juditb it's tbe truth and. knowing that, would you have me retract It?" "Yes." "I can't." Juditb began to take off the engage ment ring Brand bad given ber. "You don't mean to do that." he cried in amazement "I most certainly do!" He was almost frantic. He grasped her hand. "I won't let you mean It. I can't let you go without your ring. You may be Judge Bartelmy's daughter, but you ' are going to be my wife. You've worn my ring for a month, and you must wear It forever!" Tbe girl passed bis passionate ap peal by without heeding It. Sbe tossed back her pretty head defiantly, snatch ed Jbe ring from her finger and threw It on tbe managing editor's desk. "I'll not wear It again," she exclaim ed resolutely, 'unless until you come to your senses." So expressing herself, sbe stalked majestically across tbe room. "Judith!" called Brand In despera tion, fearing that she was about to leave blm. "Will you do what I ask?" she queried Imperiously. "I cannot." he answered simply. Tbe Judge's daughter tossed ber bead Independently, caught ber skirt In ber band, turned her back swiftly on Brand and walked Indignantly from the room. . " Wheeler Brand.' daze heartsick nd discouraged and torn by tbe emo tions that welled within blm. leaned helplessly against tbe desk. After all. be reasoned, what did It all matter?. There were lots of evil men In the world, always bad been, always would , be. What harm would It do. If one dis honest Judge were allowed to go on molested, even If be bappet.rd to be a United States Judge? Hurely there were other dishonest Judges, and ba '-' could not drive all of them off .tbe bench no. Indeed. - And. moreover, this thankless task he had shouldered wonld if he succeeded rob him of the girl be loved, it wonld mb blm of tbe love of the girl wbo loved blm. ' , ' Then the thought of the enthusiasm . that had buoyed him aa be wrote tbe story that bad exposed Judge Bartel- ( Continued on page seven.)
Gastonia Daily Gazette (Gastonia, N.C.)
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Jan. 11, 1910, edition 1
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