Saved by Printers' Ink.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 21, 24 July 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

Saved by Printers' Ink.

James Gordon Bennett, the founder of lb.j New York Herald, had a way of dropping into the composing and press rooms at the most unexpected times, and as his visits often resulted in a general * shake -up ' and reorganisation of the paper's managerial, editorial, and working forces, they were awaited with fear and trembling by his employes. On one of these occasions one of the pressmen — a man who had worked for the elder Bennett, and was an excellent workman, though guilty of an occasional lapse from sobriety—had a bad black eye, and was in a quandary as to what excuse he should offer if Mr. Bennett noticed it. Acting upon a sudden inspiration he seized an ink-roller and rubbed a daub of ink on the side of his face, completely concealing the discolouration of the skin. Presently Mr. Bennett oame into the press-room, and with the superintendent, John Hays, went carefully through, criticising every detail and looking sharply at each employe. When about to leave, he turned suddenly and, pointing at the besmirched pressman, said— 1 Mr. Hays, what is that man's name ?' The man quaked in his shoes until Mr. Bennett said slowly — ' I want you to give that man three dollars a week more wages. He is the only man in the room that looks as if he had been working.' Arizona Al : Wai, what do you think of that? Here's Jim goin' an* gitting married! Chloride Charley: Wai, that's the way of the world ! Arizona Al : Right enough; but look at this— 'No cards.' That's what comes of marryin' inter a pious family. That Dublin shindy was nothing more, after all, according to the Bulletin, than a Record-Reign celebration, Irish-fashion, wrong-side up ; and Patrick — haying rejoiced exceedingly with a thick etick, and considerably bashed head, £5 or three months— rests satisfied with having demonstrated that, at all events, the '60 years' progress ' hu made no difference in hivu