Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1912 — HE DIDN’T MAKE THE CALL1 [ARTICLE]

HE DIDN’T MAKE THE CALL 1

The Office Boy Left “Higgins” N» Alternative but to “Beat It,” and He Did. ■ During the recent visit to New York! of Robert S. Hichens, the English novelist, he wished to call upon the man-, aging editor of a Park Row paper. Just at that time any paper one pick-; ed up had an interview with Hichens. Besides, the editor and he were' friends. So that Hichens—-not having experienced the Park Row office boy—thought he would have no difficulty in invading the sanctum. '“Take) .—haw—my card If the managing editor,” said he'ttxthe office boy. That grimy functionary holds hia job by seeing to it that not one card in ten presented to him ever gets anywhere. He casts a coldly suspicious’ eye upon the novelist. The latter was dolled up In his Piccadilly clothes, car-' ried a cane, wore spate, and shot a monocle from his right eye in astonishment at the urchin’s impertinence. “Whadda yuh wanta see him fur?” asked the boy. : Mr. Hichens tried to wither the boy. Only unwitherable boys last on Park Row. He ordered the boy to go in with that card. The boy said in New York-: ese that there would be nothing* doin’! until he found out why Hichens wanted to see the editor. Mr. Hichens had! an inspiration. “I am an English journalist,” said he. “Give my card and tell him that I wish to write a series! of articles on New York for his paper.” ' The boy disappeared behind a, screen. Mr. Hichens smiled happily at the thought of the merry laughter with which His friend, the editor, would receive the statement. Pretty soon Mr. Hichens heard the voice of the office boy. “Guy out here named Higgins,” said the boy, “says he wantfl a job.” 1 The voice of an unseen and hard worked man replied that no jobs were open to any Higginses. The boy handed a thumb smudged card back to Mr. Hichens. “Nothin’ doin’ ” said he, indifferently, and buried himself in bls late edition. > “But —” began Mr. Hichens, indignantly. “G’wan, now,” said the boy, brusquely. “Beat it, Higgins.” And so Mr. Hichens did.