American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-22

THAT very clever story, The Tyrant-
eler of Calviras," just now going the
rounds, recalls an incident which took
place in the New Orleans Picayuae office
many years ago, when George Washing
ton Reeder presided over the police col
umns. Reeder was very small, not over
four feet six inches in height, singularly
youthful in appearance, and given to a
pOmpous, overwhelming, elaborate polite
ness, which, in connection with his di-
minutive stature and magnificent cos
tune, generally reminded one of "a
benevolent but highly diplomatic tomtit
Apart from his journalistic pursuits
Reeder had quite name in the theatri-
cal line, being a dilettante comedian of
considerable merit. Everybody liked
him. laughed kindly at his little peculiar
tiles, and respected the brave and chiv-
alrous spirit which they had found to
be among his characteristics
To see Reeder in the editorial room,
receiving an irate party, and particularly
one of the rougher species, was a privi-
lege to be eternally grateful for. His
microscopic size, his gorgeous toilet, his
profuse courtesy, and his grandiloquent
address were simply amusing. Callers
with welldefined injuries, but limited
intellect, went away in the firm convic-
ton that Reeder thought them the
purest, lOftiest, and most prosecuted of
mortals. Entering the Picayuae office
with the most rooted purpose of man
Cling and bruising the chroniclers of their
complications, they would retire believ-
ing that Reeder was too angelic for this
world, and that his references to them
were only made after bitter struggle
with remorseless duty ard ut the eX-
pense of bleeding heart.
He was perfectly ready to fight, how
ever, whenever the case demanded it
and thereby hangs a tale.
One day an enormous rough, ferOciOus-
looking man entered the office and in
quired for the editor Much to- his sor-
row, Reeder had to say that the editor was
absent
I'm sorry o that" said the big man,
sitting down and depositing large,
NANCY carpet-bag near his chair - |
stopped over one day just to see him
I'm from Texas, you know, and | saw
something about Texas in this mornings
Ptcaysee that sorter rifles me. l was
going home, but | thought I'd like to see
t at editor before l WENT so as / could
tell the boys what passed. want to see
him alone for about two minutes-that'
all. And here the visitors voice grew
plaintive and his fingers played with
the hilt of IL Colts army revolver which
hung in full view from his belt.
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 "a privilege tc
meet you. He would like YOU to take
back to Texas his assurances of friend
ship and admiration. Couldn't you ny
dear sir, couidnt you call IA little later?'
Well, l guess will come again, long
as I'm here till Tomorrow anyhow. You
see, it would make things easier like if
was to meet that editor"
About six in the afternoon he re
turned. Nobody but Reeder happened
to be in.
So sorry, my dear sir, but the editor
has not yet appeared Pray be seated
sir, and permit me to enjoy the accident
which has made us acquainted"
Now, / think this rather IA hard case,
said the brawny Texan, who said he wa.
beginning to be impatient. Here.
paper that pitches into Texas, and, 81
to speak, bullrags the Texans, and wher
! call to see about it there's no one in
Where / live things are different. If &
paper makes any unpleasant remark:
about gentleman we always know what
to do. We just walk around to the Office
and the editors there, ready to give it to
us any way we want it. But here yor
have other fashions. You go for Texas
like blaZes in the morning; and when
call-being the only Texan in the town
to chaw up the editor little and swaI
bullets with him in a genteel way,
can't find my man. / don't like it. If q
paper banters fellows this sort of way il
ought to have "A responsible man"
g Pardon me-" says Rceder, stepping
daintily into the middle of the room
with one hand thrust into his bosom and
face literally beaming with good ma
ture. Pardon me, "A thousand times.
quite misunderstood you. | supposed
you wanted to see the chief editor only
If it is a responsible man you're seeking
that's another thing"
Certainly. That's all / want; re
sponsible man-somebody / can rasse
about this article. That's what I've beeI
saying all the time"