Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-09-10
Helena, Montana, Thursday, September 10, 1874.


SEE1 Sl; THE REsPONSIBLE EDITOR
A Giant Looking and Th,rstinx for a
Duel, and What He Found.
From the New Orleans Pcayune.
| That very clever story. ''Thc Tyrantelcr Of
CaIviras, just now going the rounds, recalls
an incident which took place in the New Or
leans Picoyune office many years ago, when
George Washington Reeder presided over the
police columns. Reeder was very small, not
over four feet six inches in height, singularly
youthful in appearance, and given to Il pom
pOus. overwhelming politeness, which, in
connection with his diminutive stature and
handsome costume, generally reminded one
of benevolent but highly diplomatic tOmtit.
Apart from his journalistic pursuits, Reeder
had quite Il name in the theatrical line, being
q diettante comedian Of considerable merit.
Everybody liked him, laughed kindly at his
little pccnliaritics, and respected the brave
and chivalrous spirit which they had found
to lie among his characteristics.
TO see Reeder in the editorial room receiv-
ing an irate party. and particularly one Of the
rougher species, was privilege to be eter-
nally grateful for His microscopic size, his
gorgeous toilet, his profuse courtesy and his
grandilOquent address were simply amusing.
Callers with well-defined in juries, but limited
that Rceder thought them the purcst, lOfticst,
and most prosecuted Of mOrtals. Entering
the Ifcoyume Office with the rooted purpose
of mangling and bruising the chroniclers Of
their complications, they would retire. be-
lieving that Reeder was too angelic for this
world, and that his references to them were
made only after 4 bitter struggle with re-
mOrseless duty and at the expense Of bleed
ing heart.
lie was perfectly ready to fight. however,
whenever the case demanded it; and thereby
hangs tale.
One dav an enormous. rough, ferocicus-
looking man entered the Office and enquired
for the editor. Much to his sorrow, kceder
had to say that the editor was absent.
I'm sorry q that, said the big man, sit
ting down and depositing large, NANCY car
pet bag near his chair. II stopped over one
day Just to see him. I'm from Texas, you
know, and saw something about Texas in
this mornings Picoy"ne that sortcr riles me-
was going home, but thought Id Ike 10
see that editor before went, so as could
tell the boys what passed. want to see him
alone about two minutes-thats ALL And
here the visitors voice grew plaintive, and
his fingers played with the hilt of Colts
army revolver, which hung in full view from
his belt.
II regret extremely. sir, that the editor
happens to be out just now. feel sure, from
the impression you make on me, that he would
esteem it privilege to meet you. He would
like you to take back to Texas his assurances
of friendship and admiration. Couldn't you.
my dear sir. covtdntyO yOu call little later!'
"Well, guess will come again, long as
I'm here till tomorrow, anyhow. You see,it
would make things easier like it was to meet
that editor"
About six in the afternoon he returned.
Nobody but Recder happened to he in.
$50 sorry, my dear sir. but the editor has
permit me 10 enjoy the accident which has
made us acquainted
'NOw, l think this rather Il hard case, said
the brawny Texan, who said he was beginning
to he impatient. "Ilere's a paper that pitches
into Texas, and, 80 to speak, bullrags the
Texans. and when call to see about it there's
no one in. Where live things are different.
If paper makes any unpleasant remarks
about gentleman, We always know what to
do. We 1ust walk around to the Office, and
the editors there, ready to give it to Us any
way we want 1t. But here you have other
fashions. You 60 for Texas like blazes in
the morning; and when call-being the only
Texan in tOwn-to chaw up the editor little
and swap bullets with him in genteel way,
l can: dnd my man. l dent like it. If a
paper bau,ers fellows this sort of way, it
ought to have responsible man"
'Part:Jn me-, said Reetler, stepping daint-
l!y into the middle of the room with one hand
Aust into his bosom, and his face literally
beaming with good nature. ''PardOn me,
thousand times. quite misunderstood you.
supposed you wanted to see the chief editor
only. III is irresponsible man you're seeking,
that's another thing.
''Certa,nly. That's all want, response
ble man-somebody can rassell about this
article. That's what I've been saying oil the
time.
''l,ehold him: George Washington Reeder,
at your service, sir I'm the responsible man
of this paper, sir"
The sstOnished giant looked at Reeder, and
then ut his pistol, which was nearly a. large
rs Reetler. and his face became a battle.
ground where surprise. disappointment, dis
gust and amusement struggled for predOmin-
ance. Then he stuck the pistol back into its
case. picked up his carpet.bag, and eyeing
Reeder all over with disparaginy regard,
hli,rted out the exclamation
''llclr
And left. swindlcd and njured man.
Vegetable 0mstSmCes