Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-09-13
Reply of a Lady Friend, on Being Re-
quested to write for press.
HGUFF RIVER, La. }
August 18th, 1878. !


Mr. s. b. BAIRD,
Dear Sir: After due acknowledgement
of the honor you would do me, in requesting
correspondence, will say 10 you, as
have said to another friend, if you will give
me some good reason Why | should write,
then will enLeavor to do so. You are GER
tainly right in trying 10 bring out the slumbcr-
ing talent of RichIand Parish, for, there was
ever any in it, it must be here yet, as do not
think there has been much of it expended
All persons who undertake 10 do any thing,
however afeat or however small, must have
an object in view, either worthy or unworthy.
too must have an object have no aspira-
tiors for literary fame; therefore one or more
of the following ends would be my aim
viz to do good to my fellow creatures. to
make money, or to give uttcrance TO burning
thoughts and feelings that sometimes grow
too big to be contained.
But cannot think of any legitimate subject
but what has been sufficiently discussed
/
periodicals, the frownins wisdom of the
North, the genius of the old world, both Of
the present and past ages I'VE have line
upon line, and preccpt upon precept. here a
/ htt!e and there a little We have the scrip
lures Of eternal Truth, we have not only
| Moses and the Prophets, but Christ and tie
| Apostles 10 say nothing Of the heralds OF
salvation, Of the present day, TO enforce these
truths. Let me tell you, If they heed not
these, neither would they believe though one
rose from the dead"
Anything that could produce, would on
ly be worth the space that it would occupy
at best, so there would be no money in it the
third object is just as fully accomplished if
write the article, fold it up and put it in some
private place Could / expect to add any
thing on the many topics that agitate this
busy, moving world Of ours. A newspaper
article, to be read with any interest, must be
profoundly wise. very spicy, or ridiculously
absurd and foolish: | am not capable OF
coming up to the first or second and would
no, stoo2 to the thld. | would not willingly
add one io,a to the literary trash that is
afioat in the world. And now if you will
to send you an article occasionally, but can moi
promise to be a regular weekly contributor
will close with many good wishes for your
success in the avoca,ion You have chosen.
Respectfully yours, X.
In reply to the iterrosaiories of our good
ficnd w. would LAY, that her efforts, how
ever feeble, could not prove fruitlcss. Lik,
little diops of water that make the mighty
ocean, it is the little individual grains whicl
go to swell the mighty tide of influence ethe
for good or evil. True, we can, each III al
individual capacity, add but a drop or a grain
to grand schemes developed by the sages O
antiquity; bat that drop or grain must be ap
Piled with all our heart, all our soul, min,
and strength Do this, and the success to b
attained can not be measured by the stronges
and longest links Of human imagination
She will pardon us for saying that, in on
humble opinion, the above epis,le evinces
high order of talent, and we hope that sh
will not allow true modesty to prevent tru
merit from shining as the Divine Author in
tended that it should. Our columns will ey
err be open fST public "u'terance OF her burn
ing thoughts" when they grow too big TO b
contained on any subject that may presen
itself to her mind. We have no, time an,
space to answer further and more explicit. a
we would be glad 10 do.