Page:Lynch Williams--The stolen story and other newspaper stories.djvu/274

 as much room for art in the proper portrayal of news as of imagined facts and, "It is as much more difficult as it is more useful," said Billy.

This was quoted by his little crowd of sycophants who flattered him and helped him spend his spacious space earnings, quite like the hangers-on of other great men.

But all that was a year or two ago. Of late older and wiser friends of Woods had been suggesting changes.

They urged him to get into some line of desk work, exchange, or telegraphic, or features. "It would be better for you," they said.

"Too slow," said Billy, "couldn't stand it a month."

"Why don't you take that offer of the Senator's?" the managing editor once asked him.

"Become a private secretary! be an underling and answer questions all day! Besides, I couldn't live on the salary."

"It's a good beginning for a political career."