Part 14 (1/2)
”Hopeless! I have started 'The Mercury' as a financial investalvanise Grey Town into energy I really don't care a hang for 'The Observer' That organ is dying rapidly; in a feeeks it will be dead But I a to a useless life,” replied Denis Quirk
”Hoould a limited proprietary suit you?” asked the lawyer
”With Ebenezer as a shareholder? Impossible! 'The Mercury' intends to shoot at old Eb and his sort These are the ress He is a landlord who keeps his pre rents, refuses to make repairs, refuses to build, opposes reasonable rates, and holds one half of the council under his donation and corruption, the last things I intend to countenance”
”Shall I tell hihed the lawyer
”If it will encourage him to prosecute for libel, I say yes; but you may use your own discretion Tell hiht out for a sum to be settled by arbitration--buy it out or destroy it”
Thus did it come to pass that ”The Observer” disappeared into oblivion, and in its place came that fiery paper, ”The Mercury,” respecter of neither person nor position
It was ”The Mercury” that first breathed on the s ashes of municipal discontent, and roused the ratepayers of Grey Town to organise for protection and advancement Thus was accoht the initial battle of a long and fierce can
CHAPTER VIII
JOHN GERARD
Cairns and Denis Quirk orking post haste in ”The Mercury” office
”We o-ahead, up-to-date paper,” said Cairns
”That's it, my man,” replied Denis Quirk
”We want to consider our readers' amuseh, and they will put their arms round the old 'Mercury's' neck and love her,” cried Denis
”Racing is the first andeditor”
”Good old Cairns! With you and Ti editor you shall have, sonny What about Desmond O'Connor?”
Cairns shook his head doubtfully
”Couldn't stand it,” he answered ”He's too fond of Daood-natured 'have-a-drink-with-”
”I'll tell you what he wants--to get right away froht the world alone,” said Denis
”You and I,” cried Cairns, ”are the men to found a new party with a new Australian policy Mere parochialiso, sir, if Australia is to have a destiny I have my eye upon Desmond as a disciple”
”Don't hurry, Cairns Reform Grey Town first, then turn your mind to Australia There is plenty to be done here Have you prepared that article on the municipal omissions?”
Cairns handed a proof to Denis Quirk, and the latter ran his eye over it
”Good!” he cried, approvingly ”Slash it into them! 'Tooupon a too-confiding public' That's the way to ive Wilde a retainer to defend us in our libel actions I see the, Cairns To-morrow rake it into Ebenezer Brown for the state of his premises in Chester Street; on Saturday draw attention to the insanitary condition of the best residential part of the town Keep things , and ill make Grey Town a live community Then ill turn our attention to Australia”