The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-07
III, How j Became Famous as an Editor.

uow II Became Famous as an Editor.
John Lamar was an editor; John was
also nv friend. Many were the discus
sions we had for I always insisted that
Johns editorials were not spicy enough ,
that he was not radical enough; ala not
keep up with the spirit of the age; was a
little " old fogyish," in fact. And so these
discussions Invariably ended IN some re-
marks like the following: Now, John, If |
we're an editor of the Uniontoun Bugte l
could make-well-at least as good q sheet
as any in the State" " g..
THAT "well," dear readers, I will tell
YOU privately, meant that thought could
beat any man in the State editing paper.)
met John one day-in fact, that meet
ing is one | am not likely to forget for
more reasons than one, as you will see If
YOU will follow me through the following
thrilling adventure, as Sylvanus COBB
would say. a-aao2 =.
was fastening " down town !" one day
in August, my eyes fixed upon the pave
ment, my thoughts upon-but that's Sc
cret even from you, reader-when John
came rushing round the corner, and the by
ISLANDERS witnessed scene of "grand
and lofty tumbling" that was not down on
the bills. I at last succeeded in gaining
nv equilibrium and my breath, while John
recovered his beaver, not improved, most
assuredly, by contact with the dirty gutter.
"You're just the man I'm in search
off, u
"WeH, You succeeded in running against
me quite soon enough for practical pur-
poses" answered, wiping the dust from
my clothes.
81 tell you was in terrible hurry to
see you"
II think you was" drily responded.
81 want you to edit the Bugle for week;
have to go to c. on business"
This announcement would have taken
away my breath had not the previous en-
counter already done SO; for in an instant
Imagination pictured the long editorials"
the spicy "local," and the laughter-provo-
king "funnyism" that should render the
next B1lgle the ne plus ultra of newspapers.
hastily assured John that was ready
to accede to his proposal; and following his
footsteps, mounted three pair stairs to the
sanctum, where John wheeled around the
big chair and thrust a pair of scissors into
my hand pointed to pile of exchanges,
and then rushed down stairs. | called to
him, but received reply from the second
landing:
"You will find everything-ask the fore
man." and his voice died out in the dis
lance, while | reGntered the sanctum
humming 81 am monarch of all survey"
was settling my mind whether should
head nv first "editorial" "Our Country
as it is" " The Great Rebellion, or French
Interference" when "Copy ~ sounded in
nv ears, and the "devil" stood grinning
at me, evidently enjoying the start with
which had greeted the first sound OF his
voice.
hastily cut out the first item which my
eyes CHANGED to light upon, an anecdote OF
Charles ", and returned to my writing. l
had hardly finished my first line when
the door opened, and this time the foreman
entered.
owe want copy for the inside" he said,
"the outside is already made up" and
handed back the anecdote that l had just
sent to the compositors.
think I must have looked blank Il know
T felt so-for the idea that particular kind
of CODY was required for particular side
OF the paper was something entirely new to
me. hesitated moment, took up paper
and cut out an article headed "Our Coun-
try and Her Wants." not noticing that the
paper was rank Republican sheet, and
the article one abusing the Democratic
party in general.
had hardly reached a paragraph IN my
"leader ere another call came for T." more
CODY" and 80 it was for the next six hours.
The day closed, but I could not say the
same of my leader Alas! it had only
reached its fourth paragraph. And allow
me to say right here, that was all it ever
reached. l had the modification of seeing
the paper 60 to press without " long
leader in my best style;' - in fact, there
was not line of my writing in its columns.
The chagrin which this thought caused
was nothing, however, to what was to fol-
low. l leave it to the reader to depict my
feelings when, upon the damp sheet, read
the different articles I had selected. The
first, as I have already said, was an article
against the administration the next on
equally abusive one against the Democratic
nominee for Congress-a favorite man of
the party, and q particular friend of mine,
as the numerous stump speeches OF last
summer would prove.
There was paper most intensely Repub-
lican (if one could judge from its contents)
issued from Democratic Office. laid
down the paper, and as sense of my
ridiculous position over-balanced every
other feeling, | burst out laughing; but
my laughter was cut short by the entrance
of the would-be NJ. c., whose countenance
betokened anything but mirth, and vision
of horse-whips fitted before my mind.
What's the meaning of this )" said the
wrathful NJ. c., as he shook the offensive
paper in my face. In vain explained and
apologized. He met me with the constant
query: "Why didn't you read the article,
or at least see that you cut it from Demo
CT ATTIC paper ?"
"Sure enough why didn't r."
At last he closed his angry language by
calling me beautiful editor, which con-
sidered, as Artemus Ward says, ga little
sarcastcle;" rather dubious compliment
for a man who lad all his life been criti-
cising other editors and lauding his own
skill-albeit his untried skill.
But my troubles did not end here.
Wherever went was greeted with mock
humility as g Mr.. Editor till life became
most uncomfortable.
John forgaye me, and still called me his
friend, but even he occasionally narrowed
up my feelings by illusions to the lengthy
editorials wrote and the great popularity
I obtained as editor Of the .Unioniown BIZ.
gle. s7.
When I hear man criticizing an editor,
I always wish that nc could pass through
my experience, and learn, as learned, how
o,.r - e, 90 banopa 20 IN o,,c a o n aRitor