Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-09-04
Seeing tho Responsible Editor.

That very clever story, "rhe Ty-
ranteler of Calviras," just now going
the rounds, recalls an incident which
took place in the Picayune Office
many years ago, when George Wash
ington Recder presided over the po-
lice columns. Recder was very
small, not over four feet six inches in
height, singularly youthful in appear
ance, and given to pompous, over
whelming, elaborate politeness, which
in connection with his diminutive
statue and magnificent costume, gen
orally reminded one of a benevolent
but highly diplomatic tomtit. Apart
from his journalistic pursuits, Reeder
had quite name in the theatrical
line, being dilettante comedian of
considerable merit. Everybody liked
him, laughed kindly at his little
peculiarities, and respected the brave
and chivalous spirit which they had
found to be among his characteristics.
To see Reeder in the editorial room
receiving an irate party, and particu-
larly one of the rougher species, was
a privilege to be eternally grateful
for. His microscopic size, his gor-
geous toilet, his protuse courtesy, and
his grandiloquent address was simply
amusing. Callers with well-detined
injuries, but limited intellect, went
away in the firm conviction that
Reeder thought them the purest, lofti-
est and most prosecuted of mortals.
Entering the Picayune Office with
the most 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 referen-
ces to them were only made after a
bitter struggle with remorseless duty
and at the expense of bleeding heart.
He was perfectly ready to fight
however, whenever the case demand
ed it; and thereby hangs tale.
One day an enormous, rough, fe-
rocious-looking man entered the office
and enquired for the editor. Much
to his sorrow, 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. 81 stopped over one day just
to see him. Pm from Texas, you
know, and I saw something about
Texas in this mornings Picayune
that sorter riles me. 1 was going
home, but | thought that I'd like to
see that editor before I went, so I
could tell the boys what passed. l
want to see him alone for abont
two minutes-that's ALL" And here
the visitors voice grew plaintive and
his fingers played with the hilt of
Colts army revolver which hung i'll
full view from his belt.
regret extremely. sir, that the
editor happens to be out just now. l
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 as
surances of friendship and admiration.
Couldn't you, my dear sir, couldtt
you call little later?"
"Wcll, 1 guess will come again,
long rs Pm here till tomorrow, any
how. 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 happen
ed to be in.
$50 sorry, my dear sir, but the cd
itor has not yet appeared. Pray be
seated, sir, and permit me to enjoy
the accident that has made us
acquainted.
"Now I think this rather hard
case" said the brawny Texan, who
said he was beginning to get impatient.
"Here's a paper that pitches into
Texas, and, SO to speak, bullrags the
Texans, and when | call to see about
it there's no one in. Where l live
things are different. If paper makes
any unpleasant remarks about gen
tleman 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 you have other fashions. You
go for Texas like blazes in the morn
ing; and when l call-being the only
Texan in the to wn-to chaw up the
editor a little, and to swap bullets
with him in genteel way, | can't
find my man. | don't like it. 1fa
paper banters fellows this sort Of
way it ought to have responsible
man-'