The Portland daily press., 1881-12-14
Rumors of the Proof-Room.
Horrible Mistakes for Which Proof-Read-
ers Have Been Responsible.

A New York proof-reader, whose experience
dates back nearly twenty-five years, has con-
trbuted an interesting series of articles on his
business to the Good Templar Gem. After
presenting vivid pen-picture of the many
trials to which the proof-reader is subjected,
both in book and newspaper offices, the writer
gives few instances OF ludicrous mistakes in
printing. We quote
In the course of q famous trial in Brooklyn a
lady was telling about the defendant calling
on her to relate his woes, having done which,
she said, he lay down on lounge and she
covered him with an afghan. The reporters
caught the sound and wrooe napkin" and it
SO appeared in the reports of several papers
next morning. The impossibility of covering
the portly and ,'ignifed form of the defendant
with napkin ought to haye struck the proof
reader, but it did not.
A gentleman, describing a visit to a famous
public building, where he had some difficulty
in finding the way out, finally found the west
ern gate, where, he said, cab awaited him,
but the compositor insisted that "cop'' ar
rested him.
Speaking of the innumerable dogs of the
city another writer longed for the annual st.
Bartholomew dog massacre, but the types had
it that he yearned for the arrival OF w. Bath
CLOVIS dog museum"
Some moralist likened something which he
thought very fiat and stale to a torchlight pro-
cession by daylight with last years political
candidates; but the compostor thought burst
ed guns" would be better than candidates.
"a gentleman from New York" appeared in
proof as cunningham from Nyack."
The next blunder passed the proof-reader
and copy-holder, and, it may be presumed,
caused the writer to think that the COW must
have Welded something other than milk. The
sentence was written, "Seeing some sailors en-
gagged in picking oakum," etc.; but the types
made it read, sSeeing some sailors engaged in
milking cow" ys.
A young gentlemen was once placed in IAN
appalling situation for a conscientious theologi-
cal STUDENT but the types made him con-
sumptive theological student"
A book reviewer spoke of an author who had
made ian argument for the existence OF GOD,
based ON evidences of design in nature;" when
printed, the argument was sfor the existence
of girls, based on the rudeness of design in ma
ture, which was not complimentary to the
girls.
guns were en- barbette," but the compositor
thought it would be better if "all the guns
were in Baireuth."
An astronomer once saw 'thirty-six meteors
in the course of single Torri " ta. .a,
infongn the composing room the meIeorS so'
stuck IN the corner OF rough house..
The heading to an account of college feast
was transformed from "The Dartmouth Din
ner" 10 the 'Foulmouth Dinner" which was
not true, although there were many speakers.
Speaking of the strain OF laoorer's muscle,
it was written s'when he lifts big pipes or car
ries bricks in his hod," but the compositor put
the bricks in his chat" where, alasl too many
of them are carried.
A reporter, writing Of an accident, put the
cart before the horse by asserting that the
horse backed overheard, dragging the cart af-
ter him OF course, if the proof-reader had
been thus mixed there would have been trou-
BILE. -,
A traveller in Africa told of an alligator
which swallowed thirty-six missionaries"
The printer must have been Tilted, for, accord.
ing to him, the reptile made his meal OF
"nursemaids."
A weekly newspaper lamented the prevailing
tendency Of English girls TO defy the "conven-
tional restraints of former years. The COM
positor made it read ''connubial restraints
and perhaps he was not far wrong.
Another inquirer wanted to know II the ''po-
lice cannot do something to prevent careless
and dangerous blasting in the neighborhood OF
Third avenue?" and this is the way the typo
put it: Cannot the police do something to
prevent the camels and deer from bleatjng in
the neighborhood of Third avenue?'
'His blood boiled as he beheld youth and
beauty in the power OF determined villain,
was what the author OF story wrote bis
blood boiled as he beheld guilt and brandy IN
the form of determined villain" was tue way
the compositor fixed it.
Mr.. McGinnis determined to exercise his
marital right of snoring in his chair" but the
compositor thought he would be better "snooz-
ing in his straw and probably he was right.
Some time ago it was asserted that "a Cana
dian had devised a scheme for warming his be-
loved land, )" but the artist at the case said he
had devised a scheme for wearing his blonce
hair" -
A Virginia paper said, during political cam
paign, that the farmers would forget Their
| ''pantry and nursery" in the excitement oi
| politics. What the editor wrote was that they
| would forget their poverty and misery.
"The Duke of Brunswick is sick, and all the
coartiers of Europe are in futter, came up
| in type, "The Duke of Brunswick IS sick, and
| all the court geese of Europe are on platter,
which is good place to put geese II they are
| nicely roasted.
| The list is not by any means exhausted, anc
| is being added to daily and nightly all ovel
| the country, but our columns have their limits
| and this article must close with one or tive
| specimens of the kind Of copy of which printer
and proof-readers are expected to make intelli
| gible advertisements:
"a companent mother wishing child un
| bottled or board best reverence.
"a young Heolly woman OF Is AS wet nurs!
| with the privilege of own wages no Ob1ecting.'
| And this notice from the Hartford Couran
| will do for "finis:"
"BIRTHS-TRUMBULL- Sunbury, No
vember y, daughter to Jane and Saral
| Trumbull.