The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1872-10-03

RetrOleun Y. Nasby at u0nee~~
A Correspondent, writing from 9sle-
do, Ohio, mentions the fact that the
town is best known to many as the
home of Nasby, whose modest residence
bears on its door-plate the'less widely
known name of David X. Locke. lie
is difficult man to catch during the
lecturing season, when he is starring II
from Portland to Washington, and west
as far as Kansas, but in the summer time
he NAV be found in his den on the first
floor of the Blade building, writing his
squibs for the daily Blade and ponder
ing over his Nasty letter. In this style
Of writing he excels, and exults over
his points with an occasional war-whoop.
His mind is quick to perceive weak
place in his enemy's armor, as he glances
over the exchanges, and when he goes
for" solitary foe he always returns
with the scalp hanging at his girdle.
His paper is doing magnificent service
tor Grant in Northwest Ohio.
Mr.. Locke Tor Nasty, as he is oftener
called, is man of about five feet nine
inches in height, with prown hair push
ed in all directions, rubicund OF vlsage'
rotund face, and broad of girth, and
weighing some two hundred pounds.
His face gives no indication of the in
tcllectual man within, except in the
dcep--ct expression of his eyes. But he
cannot speak or write without joke, or
without expressing his extreme sense OF
the ridiculous.
His Nasty letters are often planned
ont weeks before they are produced, but
are usually written at the last moment
and under the high pressure OF call tor
"coppy." AS the reading public well
know, thew have point to make, and
succeed in keeping it in front through
out. Hence the extraordinary success
Of his letters, books and lectures. They
touch some living spring OF thought
and action, and leave the past to Itself.
Enter his dim and dusty sarctum, and a
hearty welcome awaits you, though the
host be in bis shirt sleeves, and his hat
be bat cred shockingly.
At home, in Il pretty little house on
Huron street, Mr.. Locke entcrtains his
guests with true western hospitality.
Groups of Rogers statuary are scatter
ed about the room, and many paintings
adorn the walls. The most attractive is
a little watcr-coIor sketch by Tom Mast,
representing himself as met at the de-
pot by Parson Nasty. The droIlcry OF
of the picture is inimitable, and the por-
traits are excellent. The carPet-bag
swang m the lett hand of Mast, rs he
extended his right hand in greeting, is
almost as large as the hero himself.
Mr.. Lorkc has as interesting family,
consisting Of wife and three boys.
The eldest of the latter is seventeen and
the youngest three years of age. II has
been the pleasant lot of Mrs. Locke to
see her husband rise from the rank OF a
.iourncym7l printer to national rcpu-
tation and \ fortune. The al late post
MASTER" etc, is worth Il; least 5000, 900.
At home, Mr.. Locke throws off the cares
of business with his boots, and is man
who thoroughly enjoys the comforts OF
his household. Or, returning earlier
than usual from his Office, he rides out
to his farm, distant three miles, and sur
views his crops. So far alone does he
resemble Mr.. Greeley, whom, 1T is need
less to add, he thoroughly dctests.
Recently Mr.. Locke has gathered the
bcsts of his Nasty letters into one vol
ume, to which, singularly enough, Sena
tor Sumner has written the preface. In
this preface he speaks of the good work
the letters have done for the Republican
cause. Yet before the book bad come
before the public, Nasty set his face
against Sumner, and let fly some OF his
sharpest arrows against the great disor
sanizer. The honorable Senator's pre-
dicament on this point can scarcely be
pleasant.
Many persons have criticised the Mas
by letters severely, but when Sumner
the scholar, bears his testimony in then
favor, and repeats what Lincoln said
that he had rather have written them
than be President-crIticism will find II
hard task to deny ability to them
They have been read in every State, by
all classes of people, and have even pro
voked o laugh from those who suffer
cd most from their satire. And it mus
be confessed that it is great gift to b'
able to impress the truth good naturediy