The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-09-14
A coMruLsosoKx coSrEss1os,

a COMPULSOSORH CONEESSlON,
Three men entered our sanctum
Monday, and, not content with saying
good morning." insisted on shaking
hands with every one, from the main
guy to the assistant devil. They were
dusty and trayel-stained. There was q
look upon their faces, not such as .slim-
ners give to loved disciples" but a
mixture of determiuarionan and resigna-
ton. n The elder of the three took q
seat, crossed hislegs, drew . murder
GUS looking revolver, and placed it ON
his lap and said; If-sa:E Fs4I
1 reckon you're the editor"
Yes; what is that your business p
You do the writinI for the paper
what's printed here ?"
iaYes." - jiICJil JtiI Dt
Well, mister, me and my friends
have come down to zee you. Wenev-
er saw live editor before, and last
night we laid in check enough 10
last us for day, and started to town
to see you. You see, mister, me and
my frinds read all the papers we can
get hold OF, and we've had several ar
guments as 10 whether everything is
true what's printed in the papers
Now, look here, mister, l want you to
tell me the Gods truth. Do editors
ever lie?
He was fondling his pistol when we
caught his eye, which may have infiu-
enced our answer, but We, don't think
it did. Anyhow, we put on bold
look and answered him: II gaa-i
No, sir editors never lie. They
consider it beneath them to descend
to such petty meaRness- for you know
it is base for ordinary men 10 lie-let
alone such moral reformers as editors,
lawyers preachers and stage drivers p
Our rapid dow Of language stunned
him for awhile, but, recovering, he
cooked his revolver and proceeded:
Mister, dent spin any more long
storiesy Do editors ever iielS' IJDt
No in"
" What2" -EiJ
/ was going to say that, owing to
the strain npon an editor's ntellect, he
might at times unwitiingly ,prevari-
cate" SJIIDDOTD 9IuB) -
Look here,I want: yonf to answer
my qaes.ion and stop Ginning"
He raised his deadl yancivihzed pis:
tol. His two friends, who had been
silent. griuning partners, look ed as
solemn as the grave. "A pause of abont
two seconds followed. 1t may not
have been two, when we replied very
fainliy:J lI 5i lI6Il~ , n
i" Yes, some eTof them lie." al ~
The fiend was not satisfied with that
which was certainly broad
enough for any body but's wretch who
does not know how to respect the fine
Of an editor. T He placed
the muzzle OF his barbaric baby cannon
under our left ear and whispered: .
Some?
q N~ASssA, W. y OsiSusf ! Ft
A change came over the Villains fea-
lures. Asmile meeting at The back OF
his neck enyulfed his face over once
in awhile, aud rising to his feet, he
said:} 4YI-o huG .1JTGu lIy|
"Pard, shake; 1, hope you won't
bear ne i'll will agin ME. I've been
about going into the newspa-
per business myself-me and! my
friends here. I'm some on lie my
self. l knowed if 1 come to you and
talk the matter over, l could get satis-
faction. am satisfied aud hope you
are. I'll write you q letter from our
It'll be all the truth.
Good-by."
After he and his friends had left the
office we thought the matter over, aud
have come to the conclusion that that
forced confession don't amount to
Exchange.