_His First Day at Editing._
Yesterday morning Mr. Horace A. Hurlbut took formal possession of “The
Chicago Times,” in compliance with the mandate of justice making him
receiver of that institution. Bright and early he was at his post in
“The Times” building; and the expression that coursed over his mobile
features as he lolled back in the editorial chair, and abandoned himself
to pleasing reflections, was an expression of conscious pride and
ineffable satisfaction.
“I have now attained the summit and the goal of earthly ambition,” quoth
Mr. Hurlbut to himself. “Embarking in the drug-business at an early age,
I have progressed through the intermediate spheres of real estate,
brokerage, and money-lending, until finally I have reached the top round
of the ladder of fame, and am now the head of the greatest daily
newspaper on the American continent. I expect and intend to prove myself
equal to the demands which will be made upon me in this new capacity. I
have my own notions about journalism,—they differ somewhat from the
conventional notions that prevail, but that is neither here nor there;
for, as the dictator of this great newspaper, I shall have no difficulty
in putting my theories into practice.”
“Here’s the mornin’ mail, major,” said the office-boy, laying
innumerable packages of letters and circulars on the table before Mr.
Hurlbut.
“Why do you call me major?” inquired Mr. Hurlbut, with an amused twinkle
in his eyes.
“Oh! we always call the editors majors,” replied the office-boy. “Major
Dennett made that a rule long time ago.”
“It is not a bad idea,” said Major Hurlbut; “for it gives one a dignity
and prestige which can never maintain among untitled civilians. So this
is the morning mail, is it?”
Major Hurlbut picked up one of the letters, scrutinized the
superscription, heaved a deep sigh, picked up several other letters,
blushed, frowned, and appeared much embarrassed.
“Can you tell me,” he asked, “whether there are any reporters about this
office by the names, or aliases, or nom de plume, or pseudonym, of ‘M
33,’ and ‘X 14,’ or ‘S 5,’ or ‘G 38’? I find numerous letters directed
in this wise, and I mistrust that some unseemly work is being done under
cover of these bogus appellations. I will make bold to examine one of
these letters.”