Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-27
Seeing the Responsible Editor.

THAT very clever story, The Tyrant-
eler of Calviras," just now going the
rounds, recalls an incident which took
place in the New Orleans Ptcayatne 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 theatre
cal line, being a dilettante comedian of
considerable merit. Everybody liked
him, laughed kindly at mis- 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 well-defned 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 Ptcaylt1e 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 and at the eX-
pense of a bleeding heart.
He was perfectly ready to fight, how
ever, whenever the case demanded 1t;
and thereby hangs tale.
one day an enormous, rough, 1eroClOus-
looking man entered the office and in
quired for the editor Much to his sOr-
row, Reeder had to say that the edltorwas
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
P5c0yuae that sorter rifles me. / was
going home, but l thought I'd like to see
That editor before I went, so as l could
tell the boys what passed. lwant TO see
him alone for about two minutes-that's
all" And here the visitors voice grew
plaintive and his fingers played with
the hilt Of a Colts army revolver which
hung in full view from his belt.
8 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 to
meet you. He would like you to take
back to Texas his assurances of friend
ship and admiration Couldn't you, my
dear sir, c0uZdn't you call little later?"
"Well, / guess [ will come again, long
as I'm here till tomorrow, anyhow. You |
see, it would make things easier ike if l |
was to meet that editor"
About six in the afternoon he re- |
turned. Nobody but Reeder happened |
to be in.
$50 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 AGO tainted"
Now, | think this rather hard case"