The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-04-08
How The Herald Eos = New slb.erlbor

The San Antonio Heralfs local tells that
some days ago, in the afternoon, when the
printers were bowling for more copy, and
there was none to give them, he came in, took
seat, sighed heavily. He was from the
country aud evidently had something on his
mind. At last he said: ''Are you the fell
Ter that writes the papersln
We quickly pulled out the drawer where
we kept the shotguns and other explanatory
documents and said we were, but he made
no hostile demonstrations. Again he heaved
q sigh, and said: "Old man Muggins is in
townlp in q tone that indicated the pres
ence Of Muggins was absolutely necessary
to the future prosperity Of the city. We
took so much interest in t'old man Mug
gins that VIC found It impossible to refrain
from saying: cit looks like we are going
to have q spell Of weather."
Again the absent minded youth spoke,
pointing across the street with his quirt /:
'sDo you see that ladyw
A tallow faced girl, in a sun bonnet and
calico dress, was pensIyely polishing her
gums with a snuffstick.
We said 'syes."
''Well, said he, ''that's bis darter, Me-
lindyp'
We simply inquired if that was the best
Muggins could do, and resumed our labors
reading Mrs. Carey's evidence about
Beechers true inwardness, aud what Brother
Richards saw on the little red lounge in the
bedroom, until we forgot all about our
visitor, Melindy and the whole Muggins
family.
We had progressed some distance in Mrs.
Carey's cross-examination about her being
"'toxicated,n the name of her husband,
how old her baby was when she weaned it,
etc, when we were startled by our visitor
yelling ''hellor' l
''Well, what do you wantG-what the
mischief do you come round here disturb
ing me for, when am engaged in bust
nessi'
Said he-'T want you to put something
in your paper about Ole Muggins. I'm
courtin' that gal of his'n, and Willin, is no
namc for what she is but I'm feared 70 ask
Old Muggins, cause he is so darnation
cross. Now, last summer he gave your
Office big watermelon and some roasting
ears, and you called him "high-toned
gentleman Of the old school, y and il kept the
old cuss in a good humor fer week. He
showed the paper 70 everybody in the set
Element, and If there hadn't been Teller
that had the inside track Of me. with Ne
Indy, I'd fixed things then. Now, want
you to say something pretty about the old
cuss, and rilbe burned lift puts him in the
humor it did before, I'll git the license from
the deestreeckt clerk before leave town.
Cali him juke or statesman, or somethin'
else that viii make him smile"
Seizing a sheet Of paper. we called on the
strategic lover to answer questions.
where did he come fromip
Look here, just don't you write any
thing about that, (whispering) he come
from Tennessee where he had a personal
difficulty about horse. He has killed one
man already for talking about that
tWhat do they call him-maior, colonel,
judge, general, or howln
'Ngell they just call him Catfish Mug.
gins'-he has got mouth for all the world
like a catfish.
'Ishe much liked by hisneighbors, course
Gus and ssuve IN his intercourse with those
with whom he is thrown in contact, tenn
pefale in his habitsln
''Well no, can't say that he does. He
is the dfunkest old rufiiaut in the settle
menE when he gets Whiskey In him. but
you mustn't put that in. y
Nov listen and see II this win do:
s'Distinguished arrival--Our citizens gen
orally, and the many warm friends in par
ticular, Of that hardy old pioneer, Col
AIuggins OF Mud creek, will be reioiced {,
learn that the old patriarch is once again il
our midst. COL Aluggins is one Of nature'
noblemen, and is accompanied by hi
charming and accomplished daughter, Mis-.
AIelinds kuggins.n
s'rhats the card shat takes the ace,
cried ont our yisiteF, executing q double
shuttle On the sanctum floor. After he had
been sobered down by cur collecting on
dollar for the notice, be remarked he wishes
We had said something about the old mani
brood SOW, with her thirteen pigs. as hs
thought as much az them IS ne did Of Ne
Indy, but Il didA't matter much.
Just IS he vas about 10 leave we inquired
ID an of-hand way: you are not : sub
scriber 70 our valuable paperi--pEice g. 2,
specie job work executed with neatnes
and dispatcher
sNo, ain'tl' was the reply. ssNFell, yos
he'd better subscribe for the old man IL h
had kept The Herald he would have been il
better humor, and you might be. By thii
time, opmore familiar terms with Melindy.
ne took The paper, and ne viii be IN
dicied BY the next grand jury Of this eonn
y Tor not lcgisieriRg his baby, perhaps
eteh Is the power of the press.