Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-06-20
SAYBROOK.

The meeting of the Gazette correspond
ents at Jefferson Saturday last, was a
novelty in its way, and it proved a success
as social gathering, and resulted in a
permanent organization of scribblers, with
semi-annual meetings in tie future.
thought short sketch Of the proceedings
might be of interest to your readers, and
perhaps induce the TELEGRAPH correspond
ents to do likewise.
The meeting in the forenoon was held
in Wolcott's hall. An hour or so was spent
in getting acquainted with each other and
in etfecting a permanent organization by
electing president and Secretary. On
motion the President appointed an execu-
tive committee of three to plan future
meetings for the current year, and who
were requested to report as far as practica-
bic at the p. m. session. Some Of us were
much surprised to find out who was who,
but after few moments spent in social
converse all the artificial restraints of So
ciety were thrown off and we were enjoying
a feast of reason and the flow of soul
when, in a voice of thrilling music, Mr..
Lee said the hour for dinner had arrived,
and we were to march in procession to the
American House where the banquet await
ed our arrival With cheerful alacrity we
obeyed the summons, for we are mortals,
and, much as We love to gather up items
of interest for the press, we love a social
gathering at a well spread table. Editor
Lee and his young and pretty wife led the
way and We all followed. Those who had
wives walked with them, and we noticed
with pleasure that En- Bude walked by the
side of Constance to protect her from dan
gers, seen or unseen. As for the dinner
we will Just say it was good enough even
for us, and We think ample justice was done
before we left the table. We had expected
that Mr. Lee would engage our dinner for
MS and each one settle his own bill, but the
landlord told us we had nothing to do with
that, Mr.. Lee having furnished the re-
freshments at his expense. As there were
eleven towns represented and about eight
cen of us hungry mortals at the table, we
thought Mr. Lee had done the manly by
US, which we would not soon forget.
As the correspondents desire to remain
impersonal we are not at liberty to give
any of their names. After dinner we ad-
iourned TO the cosy parlor of the editor,
and than dropped right into social con-
verse for a couple of hours, when the execu-
tive committee made partial report, sug-
gestine a basket picnic at jefferson in
September, when each member was eX-
-pected to read an essay or poem of their
own composition. At this point Of the
proceedings A. D. c., of Leon, wanted to
say few words and was permitted 20 do
so. He briefly alluded to the pleasant So
cial gathering to-day, and hoped We might
see many more, and then in behalf of his
friends thanked Mr.. Lee for the pains he
had taken to make this first meetinga sue
cess, and presented HIM with a fine gold
pen as gift from his correspondents.
Mr.. Lee was taken by surprise. but man
aged to say the pen was mightier than the
sword. and was made of the finest and
purest metal, It should be used by him to
write only pure thoughts for the benefit
of his readers and the world at large. AT
p. m. we turned our faces toward the set
ting sun, feeling that this was one OF the
bright spots along the journey Of life and
one round which the memory loves to ling
er. We do not see why the correspond
ents of all the county papers cannot form
these unions, with at least annual meetings,
for the purpose of social converse and to
exchange i,leas as to the best method TO
interest and instruct their readers as writ
ers for the press. It is fact worth re-
membeFing that the county papers that
have the largest and best corps Of CORE
spondents are extending their circulation
! beyond those who do not use these means
and appliances: J.J.
June 10, 1879.