White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1869-02-11
correspondence.
(For the Chiefly
letter from Topeka.

Mr. CsrEr:-Tuesday noon, as l was going
to my dinner, met j. F Cumnings, editor OF
the Topeka Leader, coming out Of his Office.
He said that he had been kept confined un-
mercifully close to that hole, for some time,
and now that he had got out. be meant 70 stay
out for a ~hile, aud take the fresh air-add-
ing, that he thought we should have pleasant
weather FROM now on. It Ja.t then occurred
to me that il was Ground Hogs Day, 50 took
his word for it.
There is an enmity existing between C1m-
mings and Baker, of the Record, such as exis-
ted between Rome and Carthage; and the
motto. "Let us have peace" was utterly dis.
regarded BY them. Cummings got into the
way of calling Baker the "Stager." and has
taken such fancy to the name, that he will
not permit any allusion 70 him, in his paper, in
any other way. He sometimes has outsiders
to write editorials for the Leader, but careful.
ly inspects the proofs, to see that Bakers name
is not smuggied in. This has led to many
amusing blunders, as he slashes out the name,
no matter what it refers to, without noticing
the subject or connection. In the Indiana
election returns, last October, he altered the
proof so as 10 make il read, "Stager's" major
ity over Hendricks is about 1900. Another
time. in q notice of Grover l. Bakers Sewing
Machine, he changed It to Grover / "Stager.'
He went through an advertisement Of Yeast
Powders. and made it state that every first
class "Stager" uses them.
But the best joke of all, was his coming
across lengthy annual report Of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, in which the name
of its General Superintendent, Anson Stager
occurred frequently. That took him, and ht
placed the matter in the hands of his printer.
to set up, although it filed almost the entire
paper. He afterwards insisted upon reading
it to all his friends. as scathing article against
Baker, claiPing it as original.
One of the most influential citizens of To
peka, Col. Garvey, tells me that when the LIE
gislature adjourns, tho change always leave:
the town so insufferably dull, that their only
relief is to stir up the old fght between Cum
mings and Baker, which is lively for q few
weeks, ending in Cummings making crimina
charges against Baker, and Baker sueing Cum
mings for libel.
On recent visit to the Senate Chamber,
found Senator on the floor, offering resolu
tion censuring the reporter Of their proceeding
for giving unfair reports, an pitching into hin
very roughly. had curiosity to see this of
fender, and by dint of close scanning, 6nall,
discovered him behind a table-a short, chun
ky fellow, about the dimensions of good
sized apple dumping. His whole demeano
seemed to say, "God Almighty made me 50
and can't help it," became interested il
the fellow, and after adjournment, edge,
around to where he was, and started conver
sation with him. He was evidently not use
to being noticed, and at once gushed forth
He told me he bad soaring mind. Now.
have never known a soaring mind that did no
soar toward some dodge for getting throug
the world without work. So I listened, an
let him tell his story.
He said the manner in which he came I
Kansas vas romantic. He had a passion 70
standard American literature, such as is usu
ally embellished with yellow covers, and re
tailed at ten cents. One of these works. tina
engrossed his whole soul, was entitled eth
Haunted Mush-Pot; or, the Spectre Boo'
Jack" The lovers we're finally married; an
the conclusion stated that they were now re
siding in a lovely spot in Pottawatomie Cour
ty, Kansas, where the fair bride, now the me
ther of blooming family, relates the strang
story of her trials aid her triumph to all wh
choose to listen. 1t Just seemed to him tha
| he must hear the story from her own lips, an
so he came to Kansas for that purpose. B,
he could not find her, and thought either tn,
the author must have been mistaken in th
name of the County. or that she had emigr'
ted elsewhere!
He then tsld me that he had been engage
in selling fruit trees and shrubbery, and cult
waiting hedges. in'the northern part of ii
State; but his mind scared upward, and sougl
for some occupation more elevating and lucr
tive. So be quit that business, and went
peddlng recipes for making small beer. ART
fetal honey, and transparent soap. But
did not meet with the success he had anticip
ted-in fact, one old lady told him that tho!
humbugs we're played out before hs was dor
wearing threc-cornered shirts, without sleeve
collars or bosoms, and buttonsd with pin!
"Now," said he, call desire is . comp
tence, so that need not worry, and 50 th
my family may be placed beyond the dang
Of want" Cannot you suggest some suitab
means7"
I told him that would suggest that he i
sure his life for ten thousand dollars, in son
reliable company, .the Missouri Valley,
instance,l then select night when the mere
ry is fourteen degrees below zero, and sle,
out on q board pile. The result would b
that his family would inherit policy for t,
thousand dollars. and an interesting lite
would appear in the local column of the Dai
Record, probably sandwiched between the n
tees Of Greenspan aud the Hoosier Resta
rant.
he said the plan looked feasible, but the
were objections to it. Il would be all right
his family. but he couldn't see where it wou
do him any good.
At the hotel, last week, met q man vi
said that he always believed the mantle Of Ji
Lane had fallen upon him.
"was it in the night, that you couldn't Il
for certain1" fasked. $500.
"Sir," replied he, an certain-I kne
it did,"
al believe it." / said. II must have hu
you seriously; for you look as If you were
misery"