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Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work
Merrick to conclude his
arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of
the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans.
Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle
John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to
Charley Briggs, the editor.
Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that
stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides
editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with
his bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink.
"Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley," said the banker.
"Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of my
bank."
The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with
his apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood,
and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it.
Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaper
man. Then he said:
"I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs."
"That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The _Herald_ is
really independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side we
consider the most deserving of support."
"You're supporting Hopkins just now."
"Only mildly; only mildly, sir."
"What is he paying you?"
"Why, 'Rast and I haven't come to a definite settlement yet. I ought to
get a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty is
enough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spend
more than he's obliged to."
"Why does he plan on your support?"
"He's the only live one in the game, Mr. Merrick. 'Rast is one of
us--he's one of the people--and it's policy for me to support him
instead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don't
care whether he gets it or not."
"Is that true?"
"I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead against
advertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper.
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There was once a king who was very powerful. He had great influence over the wild beasts and animals. Now the tortoise was looked upon as the wisest of all beasts and men. This king had a son named Ekpenyon, to whom he gave fifty young girls as wives, but the prince did not like any of them. The king was very angry at this, and made a law that if any man had a daughter who was finer than the prince's wives, and who found favour in his son's eyes, the girl herself and her father and mother should be killed.
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