The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-11-14
ASECOOrE OF ARfRxUs WARD.

quite young at the time and was acting as
city editor of the Star, published at Schen.
ectady, N. Y. The papers whole name was
the Eoening &ar. Well, while l was city
editor of this sheet met Artemus. He had
come among us to deliver his famous lecture
and the whole place turned out to hear him.
Strange as 1t may appear didn't 60. You
see, | was fathoms deep IN love with girl
at the time, and had a rival. This rival. who
had recently blazed out In new suit of
clothes. was at the lecture, and, sitting by
his side, as shappy as a kitten with jill of
sweet milk concealed about its person, was
the idol Of my heart-the, alas tickle queen
of my young sffections. This is the reason
that an hour after the lecture was over hap
Pened to stand on canal bridge. looking
sadly down into the water. Although I
heard no footsteps I suddenly became con
scious of a presence. Looking up saw
standing beside me slender form, whose
face in the dim starlight seemed to be an
unusually large one.
Pardon me-" he said "saw you looking
dreamily into the water as ifyou might be @
poet, or perhaps coroner, and was attracted
to your side. Has misfortune overtaken
thee, or art thou thinking of lost one-or
two, or nearer one yet, and dearer one
still, in the shape ofa w
explained that had lost no money, and
during the course of conversation revealed
the fact that was local editor.
ut must be terrible strain on the intel.
lect to attend to the duties ofa local editor
he remarked, tenderly. "Long, long ego
had q relative-it ID a family tradition-whc
was a local editor. He succumbed to hi,
tremendous intellectual exertion at an early
age. Noble soul, he died in the harness
at all events stub led-rencil and an old
notebook were found in his coat.tail poke
after his demise. His last words we're, Sc
'em up again.' alluding, you understand, tt
ths type"
| was about to say something in regard tt
my heavy editorial responsibility, but Ware
checked me by asking
| What creek is this?'
Greek exclaimed. why, this is tn,
Erie canal
'How far is it navigable p
why, Of course it is navigable from on,
end to the other was my surprised reply.
We'll, solemuly replied Ward, that best
all the streams ever heard Of By the wa,
l think I can make out some large boats an
chored up the stream there-what are they
propelers or side-wheelers 2"
replied that they were merely cana
boats, moved by horse power.
'Ah! l didn't think the stream was so shal
low as that said Artemus.
AS shallow as what?'
why you Say that those boats are pulle
along by horses. Nov, of caurse they must wal
along in front of the boat, mustn't they ~?
used to run a stoneboat on my lamente
Uncle Johns farm, and distinctly remem
Der that the horses walked along in 'front.'
| mentally declared thst ! had never be
fore met with such ignorance. spent SON
time explaining the peculiarities of the bi
ditch and just as had begun to think 9
last had set the stranger right on the sui
lject,he knocked my hopes into kindlingwoo
by remarking
I suppose that when the stream dries u
in the summer they put the boats on wheel
don't they {? '..
Then began again co explain every fet
ture in the canal from New York to Fri
How attentively he listened to my words.
can still see that melancholy face lit by tn
sad light of the stars, and those mournft
eyes looking into mine so earnestly; al
again hear, as did then, after had tall
ed for nearly half an hour, going fully in,
details of boating, the low, pathst
drawl: ... t..
ANY sawmills on this stream that yo
know Off -.....
Shortly after some gentleman came alor
who seemed to be acquainted with my o.
tuse friend. Presently one called him Art
mus and then l commenced to reflect. l q
ways reflect best when Pm hid away som
where. so went and hid myself-Detrt
/ Free Press.