Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-25
SEEING THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
New orleans Picayune.


That very clever story, "The Tyranteler
Of Calviras," just now going the rounds,
recalls an incident which took plses in the
Netr Orleans PicdyUme office man5 years
AGO. when George Washington Reeder pre-
sided over the police columns. Reeder was
yery small. not over four feet six inches in
height, singularly youthful in appearance,
and given 10 a pOmpOus, overwhelming,
elaborate pUliteness, which, in connection
with his diminutite stature and magnlh-
cent costume, generally reminded one OF
benevolent but highly diplomatic tontn.
Apart from his journalistic pursuits, Reed
er had'quite a name in the theatrical line,
being a dilettdgte comedian Of considerable
merit. Everybody liked him, laughed
kindly al his little peculiaritles, and re-
spected the brave and chiyalrOus spirit
which they had found to be among his
characteristics.
To see Reeder in the editorial room, re-
ceiving a irate party, and particularly one
OF the rOugber species was privilege 10 De
eternally grateful for. His microscopic
size, his gorgeous toilet, his prOfuse eOurte-
sy and his grandilOquent address, were
SIMPLY amusing. Callers with well de-
fined injuries, but limited intellect went
away in the firm conviction that Reed'r
thought them the pureSt, lOftlest, and most
prosecuted of mOrtals. Entering tie
Picag7ns office with the rooted purpose of
mangling and bruising the chronicier OF
their complications, they would retire be-
lieving that Reeder was too angelic Tor TINS
world, and that his references tOthem were
only made after a bitter struggle with re
morseless duty and al the expense OF
bleeding heart.
He was perfectly ready to fight, hOwev-
er, whenever the case demanded 1t; and
thereby hangs tale.
One day an enormous, rough, ferOcious-
looking man entered the office and IN
auired for the editor Much to his sorrow,
Reeder had to say that the editor was alb
sent.
aTm sorry o. that said the big man, sit
ting down, and depOsiting large, NANCY
carpet-bag near his chair. Il stopped over
one day lust TO see him. I'm from Texas,
YOU know, and i saw something about
Texas in this mornings PicGyule that sOF-
ter rifles me. l was gong home, but
thought I'd like to see that editor before
went, so as l could tell the boys what
passed. | want to see him alone for about
TWO minutes-that's all" And here the
visitors voice grew plaintive and his I'M
gers PLAYED with the hilt Of Colts army
revolver which hung in full view from his
belt.
Il regret extremely, sir, that the editor
happens to be ont just now. feel sure,
from the impression you make on me, that
he would esteem it a privilege to meet you.
Tie would like you 10 take back 10 IeNaS
his assurances of friendship and admira-
l. .. I.a.r ali .sGfffffuf
YOU call little later?a
"WeI. | guess l will come again, long as
I'm here till tomorrow anyhow. You see II
would make things easier like II L was 10
meet that editor.
About six in the afternoon he returned.
Nobody but Reeder happened to be in
$50 sorry. nv dear sir, but the editor
has not vet appeared. Pray be seated, sir,
and permit me 10 ENJOY the accident Whieh
has made us acquainted.
s.Now, | think this rather hard case,
said the brawny Texan, who said he was
baoinuing TO be impatient. .'Here's paper
that pitches into Texas, and, so to speak,
bnlIraps the Texans, and when | call to see
about IL. there's no one in. Where L live
tbinos are different. If paper makes any
UNPLEASANT remarks about gentleman, we
always know what to do. We just walk
arDund 10 the Office, and the editors there,
ready TO give it 10 us any way We want IL.
But here you have other fashions i on go
for Texas like 5laZes in the mornings ana
when / call-being the only Texan IN Town
to chaw up the editor a little ana swap
| bullets with him in genteel way, can
find my man. / don't like II. II paper
/ banteis fellows this sort OF way, IL ought 10
have a responsible man -
"Pardon me-" says Reeder, Stepping