Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-16
RAB, SHAH, RoRUM.

Nathaniel II. Carter, native Of the Granite
State, now 10 more, was distinguished as a wri-
ter Of taste and elegance. When conducting the
editorial department of paper of high literary
standing in the city of New York, he prepared
with great care, theatrical criticism for publ
cation, III which he took occasion to analyze tie
character of Shakspeare's Hamlet. lie had
nearly completed it in his best style, Hhen he
was interrupted, and laid it on his desk and left
the room. Meanwhile, his intimate friend, Mr..
H., who was something OF wag withal, came
in, and after examining the ill iated manuscript,
completed The concluding phrase, by inserting
three cabalistIc words, and never did wizard'S
Formula produce more potent effect.
H put the copy into the drawer. 1t was
immediately given to boy, who forthwith pro-
ceeded to put II in type; and when Mr.. Cartcrre-
turned to his "Sanclum, proof-Sheet was hand
ed him for correction. 1t happened, unfortunate
ly, that the editor, although one Of The kndest
and best Of men, was of a nervous and irritable
temperament, and particularly where his writing
was concerned. He looked over the article with
smile Of self compacency, until he came to the
last paragraph. He had been charging on the
amiabe disposition of Hamlet in the midst Of
misfortunes, which were not occasione4 by his
own crimes, but by the crimes Of Others Which
changed the direction of his principles of action
cast sombre shade over his character and gave
him disgust for the world. The concluding
sentence was TO the Following purport:
mo person whose heart is warmed with a
spark Of sensbility can read the story of the
youthful Dane without shedding a tear of pity
for his mislortunes, and involuntarily exclaim.
ing"
But his establishment and wrath can hardly he
conceived, when he found the paragraph so com.
pleted that it read as follows:
"No man whose heart is warmed with spark
of sensibilty, can read the story of the youthful
Dane without shedding tear of pity for hi.
misIoriunes, and Involuntary exclaiming, RAE
SHAu, RoRUM!!"
"Rab, Shah, Roruna :" shouted the indignant
writer, and every nerve in his frame trenbled
wth.agony. "Rab, Shah, Rorum! What scoun.
drel has thus been ridiculing my criticism"
The printers boy was Immediately summoned
before him.
odd you set this rascally phrase?"
what phrase, sir" said the imp, trembling
from head TO foot.
"Rab, Shah, ROrum! you blookheadl" thur
dcrcd the editor.
"Yes, sir" .....
And what demon whipered you to do it?'
yelled Mr.. Carter.
ut was in the copy, sir"
"ln the copy3 Ran, SHAH, RoRUm in tho
copy! 1t is a liza vile and abomlnable lie!-
There was no such thing in the copyr-Rab
Shah, RoEum, indeedl'
The copy was produced - and the irritable
editor recognized the handwriting of his friend.
For years alterward, Rab, Shah Rorum
haunted poor Garter like some malignant fend
Frequently at the social board, when led away
10y the enthusiasm Of the money!, while Garter
was expaliating on some literary or political
subject, H. would indulge his mischiey0us pro-
penNtes, and silence bin for he evening, by
shaking his finger Significantly, and whispering
Raj, SHAn. RoUuM.--Bostgn journal. r