Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-08-01
MADISON AND CHICAGO.
A Lancaster Lady Abroad-A Model Printing
Onice-G eneraI AtwOOd-street Scenes In
Chicago-Academy of science-Regrets.

DEAR HERALD - wrote you
very valuable, highly instructive and
entertaining letter last week, and
then with the absence of mind com
mon to us literary people, forgot TO
mail it, The loss to you and your
readers is, let me assure you, quite
irreparable. That letter was dated
at Madison and designed to give you
an account of the wise sayings and
doings of the State Teachers Associ-
alton.
But, as ere this you have heard
from other sources of the public acts
of that body, nothing remains for me
to write OF my visit to that most
charming city, save some private
treats OF my own. The one of these
which will linger longest among my
pleasant memories is my visit to the
State Journal Office, and chat with
the genial senior editor Of that paper.
In conducting US through the Office,
which is new one but recently fin
ished, General Atwood took US first
to the press room, in the basement
Here one large press was doing Job
work, another turning off the Daily,
in which we found Prof. Carpenters
speech of that morning reported in
full. "a daily newspaper editors am
bition is to be up to time" said Gen.
Atwood. 1t afforded me the greatest
pleasure to notice the whole opera
ton of making paper to observe
the perfect accuracy with which the
machinery did it's work to think for
q moment Of the various agencies
which contribute to the making of
newspaper; to contrast this day with
that when newspapers were un-
known, and literature was preserved
by the pains-taking penman only.
On the first floor we found the
counting room. One story beyond
and we were ushered into the Sdnctttm
and sanctum Sanctorlm, very pleasant
rooms whose windows look out upon
the most beautiful scenery. Major
Culver comes in, his hands full of
proof, and extends cordial greeting.
Indeed, everywhere we found some
thing of the same atmosphere of
kindly feeling and cordiality which
one breathes in some houses.
Upon the next floor we found the
type room, where many hands were
putting in type those "words which
make thousands, perhaps millions,
think" Here we saw the little
hand press with which Gen. Atwood
first began his work, years ago, when
he was his own editor, proof-reader,
type.setter and devil. This room
has an elevator by which the forms
are sent TO and returned from the
press room. There is also a pleasant
office attached Across the hall
there is book bindery.
Every thing is pleasant, orderly,
and as neat as printing offices ever
are, which as you know, dear Herald,
is nothing to speak of. The sane
tums, however are as tidy as lady's
parlor. The rooms are placed in
communication by speaking tubes
We saw Major Culver making a face
at one, when we returned to the Of
fec
The success Of Gen'I. Atwood in es-
tablishing this paper and continuing
it should encourage young men who
are ambitious to do like wise. This
path was at the beginning no golden
one, and even yet his cares are many.
Yet he has not selfshly sought his
own, but the greatest good Of the
greatest number, and of those who
esteem him highly, those who know
him best esteem him most.
| heard while at Madison that his
employees have habit Of showing
their regard by very substantial tes-
timonials, as on recent birthday
anniversary they presented him a
full copy of the American Encyclo-
pedia, and when the new Office was
ready for use, fine gold headed cane
which one of the "boys" said "the
General would not use for fear peo-
pie should think him aged"
Looking over the many young
men of my acquaintance who on hes
itating to begin doing anything be-
cause they have neither position,
money nor friends, | wish they might
be stimulated by this well known ex-
ample to try at least and keep on
trying.
All honor be to man who makes
himself: all dishonor to one who de.
ponds upon the chance of stepping
into the shoes of dead father or un.
Gle.
Leaving Madison l came to Chi
cago, q place, perhaps, where as
many men make and break as in any
other city.
Just now variety of sounds from
youthful aspirants for gain or honors
comes in at my window. Papers
rags" "old iron," peaches" "ripe
mellow peaches" "fvc cents a quart
peaches" "fresh fish," and straw are
hashed up in way likely to mystify
any body, not initiated. On the side
walk is a little ''shine yer boots" who
displays his worries and rolls his eyes
at every stroke Of the brush. Has
not somebody written book about
the street Arabs of Chicago?
But this city is improving q don't
mean morally. The river which
for so long has been a stencil to the
nostrils has taken up "a new depart
ure" to the sea by way of the Missis-
sippi, and despite the forebodings of
croakcrs and the unbelieving groans
of tax payers there is very decided
Improvement. A continual work of
elevating and grading streets is 60
ing on. Art must do much for this
city, for certainly nature has done
little.
| wished that | could have had the
school children of Grant County with
me when | visited the Academy of
Science. | could have seated round
number in the shadow of the huge
mastadons there and told them the
story of past ages or looking at the
mummy interested them in burial