The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-02-06
Montreal Gazette,

The presence in Montreal during the pres
ent week of a once wcll-known Toronto jour
nalist, but who is now engaged in more lucra-
tive avocation in Albany. N. Y, calls to mind
to one of the Gazette staff n trick that this
journalist-we will call him Hance-once
played on Baptist clergyman, who was editor
of q religious weekly, published in the inter-
est of his church. At the timo of the joke in
question, the Toronto Telegraph was enjoying
its palmy days, and Hance was one of its
spiciest writers. He had the good fortune to
be acquainted with a Baptist clergyman resid-
ing in o little town in New York state, the Rev.
W. R. The reverend gentleman and Hance
were old friends, having been raised in the
same town in England, and when the clergyman
was called to Philadelphia to attend the Gen
eral Conference, he thought he could get no
better person to look after his journal during
absence than Hance. Accordingly he wrote to
Toronto and Informed his friend of his request,
asking him to come over Immediately, if
possible, and remain in charge during his alb
sence. The answer came back by telegraph,
and stated that Hance would be there on the
first train, q promise which was carried out
without delay. On his arrival at the house of
his clerical friend full instructions were given
him as to his duties, which we're to make few
appropriate selections, write few short, suita-
BILE editorials, and superintend other matters
enerally.
And now comes the trick. When the clergy
the composing room and informed the fore
man and printers that the policy of the paper
was Immediately to undergo a radical change;
1T had been decided" said he, ito give its
readers different class of news from that
which had heen given heretofore, and the in
nOvatiou would be inangurated there and them
Hance haa procured 4 copy Of the New York
Clipper, Wilkes Spirit Of the Times, Belts Lifc
the Dramatic Ne,cs, and other sporting papers;
and he set about cutting out glaring accounts
of prize-fghts, horsc-racea, baseball matches
billiard-matches. dog-6ghts, cock-fghting, etc.
then he had all of these accounts set up in
type and proofs read, and the forms made up
and double issue of the paper ordered. But
he must have a stunning leading editorial. and
he sat down to write the most remarkable that
ever appeared in a religious paper. 1t opened
thus: I'VE take extreme pleasure in announc-
ing to our many readers that We have the best
authority for stating that the celebrated and
long-talked of prize-fght between Jem Mace
and Joe Coburn will be fought within short
Diary line between Canada and the United
States" etc. Other items of the most ridicul-
GUS nature were inserted in the paper, and
when the subscribers received their papers con-
sternation was depicted on every countcnance.
An immediate rush was made to the VILLAGE
Office for an explanation, but Hancc, fearing
the consequences, had made q speedy exit from
the town. But what must have been the feel
ing of the editor when he received his paper Mt
the conference. A hasty explanation was made
to the subscribers, and the next issue came out
with its usual amount of church intelligence.
and satisfaction was once more settled in the
minds Of the Baptist inhabitents of that nor
ton of New York State.