Fame

In the Chicago Tribune appeared a minor item. Nathan F. Leopold Sr., Chicago, was married to Mrs. Daisy K. Hahn, Los Angeles.

One Chicagoan, ignorant, hurried up to another, brandishing his paper. He pointed at the item with an angry finger.

"Cheated!" he snarled.

"How," asked the other.

"Dirty cheats, editors. ME, constant reader. ME, the public. I want to be thrilled, tickled with tragedy. They rob me; steal the stuff my emotions eat for breakfast. Do you know who that is--Nathan S. Leopold Sr.?"

"Father of Boy Fiend, Nathan S. Leopold Jr."

"Sure. Great. Where is he? In jail. Great. Why? Because he murdered. Swell. His father gets married. Do they drag the story out again for me--FIEND'S FATHER FINDS MATE? No."

"Why should they?"

"Public interest, that's why. We have a right to know. What did little Nathan say in jail when papa broke the news? What does the new mama think of her famed stepchild? How would you like to bring up a murderer? Will she see him? Will she kiss him? Will she forgive? LOVES LEOPOLD IN SPITE OF FAMILY FAME. That's what I want. Sex. Sin. Brave little woman."

"The editors wanted to spare innocent parent shame."

"They set one parent's shame against the thrill of a million people. It isn't fair!"

"It wasn't father Nathan's fault. The editors are sensitive men, and know that sins of the children should not be visited upon the heads of the fathers."

"They DO huh? Look. Nathan F. Leopold Senior. Why do they put the Senior in? That's the tipoff. Everybody knows now who he is. Why tell everybody, tease 'em; and supress the dirt?"

"Accuracy. Newspapers are based upon accuracy. If they had left out the Senior they would be violating a public trust. That is the fact. They print facts."

"Public trust? Public trust? Is there any greater public trust for the newspapers than to keep the public dizzy with dirt. The public wants it; the public has come to need it. The newspapers have created a habit. It must be satisfied."

"The Leopold story is old. It has been told. It isn't news any more. Don't worry. There'll be a new murder next week. SHIEK SLAYS SLAVE TOT. Throw a jolt into you. . . ."