Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

— ————— THE ARGOSY. ~ Vol. XXXII. DECEMBER, 1899. No. 1. ON THE TRAIL OF A MYSTERY. BY HUGH R. VANATTA. A story of the Kentucky mountains, in which are set forth the ramifications of a feud. What befell a newspaper man who ventured among the combatants, and how he discovered that tact is oftentimes as serviceable as valor. (Complete in This Issue.) CHAPTER I. MY FIRST ASSIGNMENT. | WAS fortunate in applying at the editorial office of The Ptoneer, tor it so happened that Mr. Forsythe, the managing editor, was not only in a genial mood, but he had a half hour at command and there were no visitors ahead of me. * Mr. McIntyre, I am glad to see you,” said he heartily, waving me to the only chair that was not piled with half a foot of exchanges. “ Let me see -—today is Thursday; you were gradu- ated Tuesday or Wednesday? ” I blushed with a thrill of pride at this evidence that the managing editor knew something about me. And yet after all what was strange in his hav- ing such knowledge? Was he not the controlling spirit of one of the leading newspapers of the West? He must have noticed that I was the valedictorian of my class, and The Ptoneer gave quite a full summary of my essay “ The De- mands of Higher Journalism.” No doubt Mr. Forsythe had read that synopsis and would be charmed to pe- ruse the entire article. Modesty for- bids me to mention some of the glow- ing praise it had received from discrim- inating friends. “We had our commencement exer- cises on Tuesday,” I replied, with a smiling acknowledgment of his implied compliment. | “And you. would like a situation on The Ptoneer?”’ he continued, lighting a cigarette and leaning back in his chair. “Well,” I replied, uncrossing and then crossing my legs again ; “ my folks have urged me to take up the profes- sion of law, but I have always had a partiality for journalism. I think the field is broader and there is a better chance to develop one’s talents.” * Undoubtedly, provided one has tal- ents to develop. I judge you have had no experience on a newspaper.” “ Not as yet; I understand there are a good many newspaper men who made their start as editors. You know there are some people who are born editors.” “I was not aware of that,” replied Mr. Forsythe, with a grave counte- nance, and he sent two parallel streams of cigarette smoke throu his nos- 5 comnelbooltce eco