Helen in the Editor's Chair

"Helen in the Editor's Chair" by Ruthe S. Wheeler is a story set in the early 1930s about a young woman named Helen Blair, who finds herself in charge of her family's newspaper, the "Rolfe Herald," when her father gets sick and needs to find treatment in a warmer place. This story, which focuses on growing up, looks at ideas like family, responsibility, and what it means to be a journalist in a small town. Initially, we see Helen excited for "press day," when the newspaper is printed and handed out. Her whole family is part of the newspaper world; her father is the editor and publisher, her brother Tom helps with writing articles and the technical work, and Helen helps out with different jobs in the office. However, a problem begins when Helen sees that her father isn't well and makes him leave work to relax. This important moment leads to Helen becoming the editor, facing the difficulties of managing the paper while also dealing with her schoolwork, and learning to work with her brother Tom and her caring mother. The beginning does a good job of introducing the characters, location, and the event that starts Helen's journey in the rest of the story.