St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-10-23
A Sad Mistake.
IIittle Rock Gazette,

Mr.. John Biggs, a young man with
brisk air and brisker loquacity, came to
the city several days ago, and, calling
at the Gazette Office, asked for a sltua-.
ton as a reporter. " Pm lightning,
he said, 81 used to be editor-in chief of
the Wormville Lanturn. Oh, but she
was a darling paper. You ought to
have seen how pitched into section
boss for calling my half-hrother a fox
eyed liar. / skinned him. Now. if
you've got any important work that
YOU want done I'm the man to do it.
[ used to report the Wormville city
council, | stirred up one alderman
until he threw one OF those old. fash
ioned brass kettles at me. That's the
way to write. This quiet way of doing
things may take with religious papers,
but with newspaper, they are no good.
Simply II. g. Do you want man p"
The young man seemed to have such
correct idea OF the newspaper busl-
ness that he was employed, with view
Of doing special work. A prooylso was
added to the agreement that Mr.. biggs
was not to feel aggrieyel or bring suit
in case he was bounced after few
days trial.
When Biggs stepped out on the street
there was an air of business about him
that attracted the passser-by.. He
walked along with his note book in his
hand, and with his pencil between his
fingers, like cigar.
Yes," said man standing on the
corner. addressing an acquaintance,
"that is a boy left at Swanks."
"What!n said the reporter. Boy
| left where 2"
"Who are you 2" asked the man.
"I am reporter. used to be editor
in-chief Of the Wormville Lanturn.
! Tell me about the mysterious boy"
The man winkel al his acquaintance
and remarked "Well, | reckon a re-
porter should know everything. iou
see, last night fine boy was left at the
| residence Of Mr. Swanks. Mysterious,
sir, very mysterious. You'd better go
around and see Mrs. Swanks:"
After ascertaining the locality Of the
Swanas residence, the reporter hurriedly
| left. Arriving at the place he rang the
| bell and was admitted. >,
| "Id like to see Mrs. Swanks," said
the reporter to Mr.. Swanks.
"You can't see her."
"Why, is she busy9"
:sNot SO busy. perhaps, as indisposed.
| What is your business, sir !"
| am GepOFtcI, siI. ustu w pC
editor-in-cilief of the Wormville Ian
turn, but hard luck has brought me
down to the level of common news
hunter. ] want to see Mrs. Swanks Ill
regard to that mysterious boy"
"What mysterious boy?" asked Mr..
| Ssanks, with warmth.
"Now, here, Colonel, you needn't try
any little dodge on me. | used to be
editor chief of the Wormville Lam
turn, know more about this little
affair than you think | do. There's a
mysterious baby in this house, and I'm
going to see it,. Pm going right IN
where your wife is and write the thing
up:n -,
the next room, but was knocked down
by Mr.. Swanks. The noise brought out
several ladies, sufficiently advanced. in
age to be beyond the road law require,
ments. The ladies screamed. flle re-
porter regained his feet and made an
other dash for the door. The womer
caught him, while Mr.. Swanks kickeC
| him, turned him around, showed hin
through the front door, and kicked him
on to the fence. Mr.. Biggs came bacI
to the Office and resigned. He said tina
if the office could spare him few
hounds Of type he would go out and re-
establish the Wormyille Lanturn. AZ
this time young Swanks laid IN his ilttl'
cradle. staring at an existence SO new
| fn him. and, like Paul Dombey, squar
ing his little fists at the world.