The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-03-25
"reminiscences OF a Typo.
[Cincinnati Times.


Printers, of all other men-those, we
mean, who have seen life on morning
papers-have CLEANED items, many OF
which are worth writing out. Among
the best stored away in memory, we
propose giving Jim Skilletts Ball. This
may or may not have been our hero's
true name. But that is of little moment
we shall take it. Jim was an active
looking young man, of Jewish coun-
tenance, having keen, black eyes, sur
rounded by a white ring, which gave him
the name of Sartum Jim. We said Jim
was "active looking"-but he was active
only in pursuit of am usement and dev-
iltry. In fact, he was the devil OF the
otiice-but was looked upon as good
hearted devil, nevertheless. Jim was
constitutionally opposed to work, but
delighted to sit up with the boys o'nights,
and sing them songs and tell the funny
stories he had collected while setting up
pins at the ten-pin alleys, and during his
visit at the keno-rOoms. This was the
kind of hair-pin he was. This was Jims
favorite side-show, with which he enter
tanned the boys while they were waiting
for copy. One day Jim conceived the
idea Of a brilliant speculation, and in
order to raise the necessary funds, printed
his own tickets on the proofpress, an
nouncing ball to be given by James
Skillet, ESQ.," the funds of which, after
deducting expenses, were to be distrib-
uted among the poor. Jim told the
boys he had succeeded in procuring a
hall and music. but found himself
cornered for a barrel of whisky, which
was the principal attraction, and which
he had announced in prominent line
on his card of invitation would be on
hand. Whisky was cheap in those
halcyon days anterior to the Southern
rebellion, but nevertheless as dear to the
taste of its votaries as now. One dollar
admitted gentleman and lady-and free
access to barrel of whisky. Jim was
loaned the necessary funds, and the Dali
duly came off. The regulars on the
- were all at work that night, which
was accounted for from the fact that the
"subs" of the office had bought tickets
from Jim, and had tasted the beverage
early in the day. While the dance was
going OH in the upper room, Jim presided
over the barrel of whisky below-passing
a new tin cup to each approaching guest
to be dipped into the open barrel. jim
had provided himself with quantity o.
narrow blue ribbon, and stuffed it into
the crown of his cap, and taken the
precaution to obtain the loan of pail
of pocket scissors, with which to clip OF
a piece of the ribbon as occasion might
require. As might be supposed, it wa
not long before fighting commenced II
the ballroom. But Jim said he hat
fixed upon his plan to quell all distur
Dances. He was notified by one of thu
men hurriedly coming down stairs, tha
he must come up and enforce Order, q
they were fighting up there. Jim snatch
ed from his cap the bunch OF blue ribbon
and, clipping off piece, pinned II to tn
coat collar of the man, and told him n
was duly appointed manager, and to 6
back and exhibit his authority. Feelin
highly honored, he bowed and left Jim
deal out more whisky. In about te
minutes another came running down t
Jim with a similar message. Jim wen
through.the same maneuver, made No.
manager, and he returned rejoicing. jim
said it was not long before the third on
came down on similar errand, and h
was likewise appointed manager. ltwa
soon found that three managers were nc
sufficient to keep down the fightin
T element, when finally Jim went up, tirs
e cutting his ribbon up into some fift
Y pieces, and, whispering in the ears of tn
0 most boisterous dancers, attached
badge to each of their coat collars. Jill
:. said it was not five minutes bofore con
e plete order was restored, and the fe
;, who afterward showed fight were sun
n marily dealt with by the numero'
e managers he had appointed.