Part 13 (2/2)
will appear to-morrow, takeabout outside the office, watching to see ould take their places But no one ca room all was bustle
”Now, throw off your coats,” cried Denis Quirk, ”every one of you You too, Cairns, and do what I tell you You, Tiram to the post office We will have a new staff to-morrow, and men I can rely upon”
In this way ”The Mercury” was printed under the greatest difficulties, but the rival newspaper failed to appear Ebenezer Broas stubborn, and when his editor brought him the news of the threatened strike he refused to concede anything
”Not one penny et frorowled
”But you must come to terms,” said the editor ”You can't afford to es, and they may fish for a rise,” replied Ebenezer Brown
The following day, like its rival, ”The Observer” was e was hopelessly impaired
Thenceforward ”The Mercury” advanced daily at the expense of the older paper, until, six weeks after the beginning of the can, Ebenezer Broent to Denis Quirk to effect a co in his shi+rt-sleeves, his collar off and neckband loosened, when Ebenezer Brown entered
”Sit down, Mr Brown I will attend to you in five minutes We are so confoundedly busy that I h at once”
Ebenezer Brownthe pile of papers on the desk in front of theround on the office stool to face him
”Well, sir, what is it?” he asked ”An advertisement or an obituary notice of 'The Observer?'”
Ebenezer Broas rendered speechless with indignation for the rowled
”Then why did you co insults atthese six weeks past? A man doesn't walk into the lion's den to have his hand licked by the lion”
”And how have you treated me?” cried Ebenezer Brown ”First you stole my reporter's copy, then you stolehis bell, and Desentleman's words, Desmond Now, Mr Brown, please repeat your staterowled the old man
”You have that down, Desmond? Continue, Mr Brown,” said Denis Quirk
”Robber! Forger!” cried the old man, roused to fury ”You have neither manners nor honesty”
Therewith he rose and rushed into the street, and the burst of laughter that he heard as he went did not tend to make him better pleased or satisfied
”Do you intend to prosecute?” asked Desmond O'Connor
”Prosecute! No, my lad, I only defend actions for libel If he had used every term of reproach in every dictionary, I would not be tehly flattered It proves that I have succeeded inthe old man uncomfortable, and satisfies me Just write a huive any names The toill understand who is the principal character if youit to me to touch up when the sketch is coled on; then Ebenezer Brown sent an intermediary, in the person of a lawyer, to eoes out,” said Quirk ”How much does Ebenezer Brown ask?”
”His proposal is to buy 'The Mercury,'” replied the er