The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 140: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WHAT SHALL SHE DO? I. AN OLD MANUSCRIPT. I am a néwspaper reporter and a poor one at that, I sometimes think as I examine my not very plethoric pocketbook. A few years ago the Daily Capital, published in To- peka, changed management, and among other schemes of the newly organized company was one to establish a branch office in Kansas City. Being out of work, and having some influence with the business manager, I se- cured the position and was sent down to take charge of the new venture. My office was in the Chamber of Commerce and I occu- pied a room with two grain men and a dealer in pork. Desk room had been secured for me, and a neat sign placed on the door beneath the others, calling the atten- tion of visitors to the fact that within could be found the representative of the Topeka Capital, who was ready at all times to receive them in every capacity. My duties were various. Each morning I noted the various changes on ’Change, and each afternoon took a trip to the stock- yards to note the state of the market there, all of which CORnnicloool SS (C©)