Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

FRANK WINTER’S CHRISTMAS ASSIGNMENT. BY MATTHEW WHITE, JR. The strange piece of luck that befell a reporter in covering a particular bit of work in which he had little heart, and which goes to show that jumping at conclusions isn’t always as dis- astrous as it is reputed to be. “| T’S the most exasperating happen- ing. Just going to spoil my whole Christmas.” Frank Winter slammed his derby down on the table with an emphasis that did not require the addition of speech to show that he was in anything but a holiday frame of mind. “Hallo, Francis, what’s the mat- ter?” exclaimed his room mate, Joe Craig, turning away for an instant from the bureau mirror before which he was shaving. “I expected to have you come home tonight in an ecstasy only a little short of that you will be in to- morrow when you start for West- ville.” | “Westville!” rejoined Frank. “That’s the whole mischief of it. I wish I’d never been invited there now.” “Great Scott!’’ cried Joe, almost cutting himself in his surprise. “ I thought your heart was set on this visit above all other things.” “So it was, and that’s what makes me feel all the worse because I can’t 99 gO. “Can't go! Why—how—what? ” ‘Oh, it’s Kimberley, the city editor. You know he gave me leave of absence from the afternoon of the 24th to the morning of the 26th. Now he comes to me with an assignment for tomor- row night—Christmas Eve, just think of it, when the Peytons are to have their best fun.” “ But didn’t you remind him that you weren’t to be here?” “No, there wasn’t any need to. He began by saying that he knew he had given me off, but that then he couldn’t foresee that Professor Foufou would resign his chair at Harward College because, according to his story, the president insulted him. They had tried to get an interview with him in Bos- ton, but he couldn’t be found. He was coming to New York, somebody said ; would arrive tomorrow night to spend Christmas with his sister, a Mrs. Smith, ina flat up town. And because I know a little French Kimberley saddled me with the assignment. ‘““ You can go as soon as you turn in your copy of the interview!’ he said. But what good will that do me? The last train for Westville leaves at four o'clock, I can’t get out there till ten the next morning, and most of the fun is to be on Christmas Eve. I’ve half a mind to throw over the whole thing.” “ What, give up your position on the Universe just because a little pleasure trip is interfered with! ” There was a whole lexicon of horror in Joe Craig's tones. “ Well, that’s what I feel like doing now,” retorted Frank. “ What will the Peytons think? I’ve accepted their in- vitation and I know they’ve counted on me for some of the games tomorrow night. I’m afraid it’s going to make It awkward for them as well as mighty disappointing for me. as I care about going at all if I can’t get away tomorrow.” “ But the Peyton’s will understand it when you explain that the exigencies of getting out a great metropolitan daily compel you to remain in town COM ElOOO I don’t know eco