The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-23
From the Atlanta Weekly.
Our Nations Birthday,

Fourth OF July was great day In At
lanta. 1t was, to some extent, the day we
celebrated. Ii any man who signed the
original Declaration of Independence thinks
he's "ever mindful what il cost" any more
than we are, we should like to reason with
that patriot, at the Office OF the Atlanta Pnb-
lisbihg Company. We gave our men holi-
day, of course; and at nine O'Clock we went
to the Office, expecting to have quiet fore
Moons work there, uninterrupted. The ris-
ing generation of Atlanta were firing all
sorts of antiquated weapons under our
windows, in a manner very affective to
the sensibilites Of a journalist who
is trying to write . leader upon q
subject will which he is pronouncedly un-
familiar; and upon which he has not, Is
usr al, tine gratuitous advice of three-fourths
of the high-toned loafers of the city. The
editor of the opposition paper was teaching
his little son to fire revolver, out Of his
Office window. That editor is more skiliul
with firearms than we supposed he was.
Practice with barn doors and desultory cats
has improved him. And in this connection
we would state that the leading articles in
the columns of our esteemed contemporary
display great power and ability. Our life Is
also insured.
There came tap at our door. We paused
in our rendition of "America." and opened
the door, to admit Cousin Jane and Bennyf
Perhaps our subscribers have forgotten Ben
ny's former visit 10 our sanctum. We have
n't-would we could forget. If the waves Of
Lethe or any other harmless beverage-tuch
as a journalist OF strictly temperance princi-
Piles could partake OF, ia an Office overlooked
by the windows of the rival establishment,
wholesale hatter's rooms, and the agency of
the American Tract Society-would bring
oblivion of Benny. we should like ''some in
ours" We digress. We generally do. We
welcomed Cousin Jane. We embraced Ben
| nv; selecting the side of his face which
seemed rather less pervaded with gingerbread
| than the other. 1t was q wise maxim Of
Machiavelli-(or some other man-but NJ.
looks well in print and is hard to spell, conse-
quently unattainable by ordinary writers for
the press) ''Of two evils, choose the least"
We did. Benny, with sweet ingenuousness,
stated hat he wan ed some candy. While
Cousin Jane was busy taking off her bonnet.
and rearTanging her hair before our little
| cracked mrror-we expatiated to Benny up
ON the advantages ef unfulfilled aspirations.
wishes in advance oil attainment; and told
him that an editors Office was an ex-
cellent place TO want candy in-be-
cause there wasn't any there. Then
| we gave Benny all our small change,
| took him down to the door, and headed
him in the direction of the corner store.
We returned to our sanetum and con-
ysrsed with our Cousin Jane, until the re-
tu-n of our young kinsman. Then Cousin
| Jane said she would stay in the Office, where
| it was cool, if we would take Benny cut and
show him the sights. We put on our hat
and gloves; Benny tucked very adhesive lit
| lie hand confidrgly into ours, aud we started.
Benuys behavior was exemplary the submis'
| siye affection with which he looked mp at us
as we came near toyshop and the weil-de'
! fined howl which he achieved wfen we pass
ed it, were of nature to necess'tate mme-
diate entrance and the purchase of "opgun
L duu oOuC tOi pCuJCos A}Suuy was dppcdStAs
and we continued our stroll. We visited the
| circus, on free tickets sent to the Weekly
| Benny stated that they would say These
men are editors" and would be glad to see US.
We looked at the monkeys; we held our breath
at the exploits of the young person who
danced on the tight rope; and endeavoied not
( to cast gloom upon the occasion by looking
| any sadder than we could help, at the With
| cisms of the clown, most of which had ap-
ne,reJ in our exchanges, credited and to the
| discredit of. Joe Miller. They were evident
10 .sbis level best'-they were so fat. After
tho CIRCUS. we attended balloon ascension /:
then we went to hear the Declaration of In
dependence read; we assisted at donkey
race; we incurred public opprobrium by our
reckless use of torpedoes; aid finally went to
see the fireworks. Benny was tired, and less
amiable than when we set out. We spent our
remaining money on candy for him, hoisted
/ him on our shoulder and started tor the office
the cherub screaming and kicking; and the
crowd wondering ''what was the matter with
the poor little dear?' As usual, sympathy
was utterly misdirectej. The real victim was
spelled with a We" By dint OF diplomacy,
we passed peanut stand aud handorganist
safely; and finally arrived at our 4ffice. We
escorted Cousin Jaue and Benny to the cars.
Cousin Jane sal Benny had had an exceeo-
inely GOOD time, and would come to see ~
soon again. We. by great exertion' maa'
mn . facial contortion expressive Of pleasuia-
sie BIZ anticipation-such a, is visible upon the
Soots A tribute to social enjoyment and in
.' .'N.s',,, torture. The car-whist.e sounded
and WE fastened back to our office; with
sssco ofmolasses caudy upon our right cheek,
1 - ~. xao;nl rplatiye Hens