Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-12
FOUR WEEKS.
Colonel Gauff's Experience as an Edi-
tor-How He Was BIockad

1t is not generally known lat our silver
tongued orator. Colonel CAN'T, was once the
editor OF a newspaper, published at time
when man had TO have very lively dis
position TO be an editor at all, as politics,
people and the period were all 'lively." As
a slip from the legal virtue of his profession
it is worth telling here.
Yes, said the colonel yesterday afternoon,
in a voice like the memory of sweet music,
l was an editor of a weekly newspaper. 1t
was shortly after had obtained my license,
and l WIS induced to become an editor by
Bill Pope. He said he merely wanted to
put my name at the head, so after days
consideration, 1 said "Well, hist her up" and
up she went. Well, we got out the first
number, and was very much pleased with
1t the next day. A few days passed and i re-
ceived letter from man living on the
Pulaski road ,referring 10 an article Pope had
written about him. He said be would call on
me personally; but as there were three other
roads out of town, / felt three-fourths safe.
Pope came around and l told him of it.
Splendid old fellow. You are doing first
rate" Well the second number came out.
Pope had written very amusing article
about farmer living near Lawrenceburg. l
got letter from him. He called attention
to the article, and said that when 1 came to
the next session of the court at Lawrence
burg he would take great pleasure in seeing me
and having a settlement; and he would ven
ture TO cay my friends wouldn't know me
from dogs meat when he got through with
me. / showed the letter to Pope. First
clasp he said, rubbing his hands with de-
light. "You are making sparkling paper.
Keep it up" As / now had only two roads
out of town, / asked him what was the policy
of the paper on lighting. "Wby we will
fight, of course" said he. You see that's
what the people are;all expecting, and that's
the reason the paper sells SO well.n "But,"
said /, sin these fights is it necessary Tor me
TO take the initiative?" Certainly;
and when you are cleaned out, then l will
sail in" The next week vivid description
OF q grand political barbecue near Centre
Vile with stirring resolutions was sent to the
paper. didn't see it at all. Pope cent it in
just as it was. Its appearances was followed
by an indignant letter from party who
said he intended thrashing me for rejecting
on the neighborhood. The names used in
the article were those OF negroes and no such
barbecue had taken place at all. l told
Pope about it. "By Joe," said he, "thafs
good joke. Well have any number of fights
when we go there. You're making splendid
were gone and there was only one road left.
The next week Pope wrote a spicy local
about a man named Timmons, who lived
down on my remaining right-of-way. He
connected Timmons with young lady in a
scandal. Well, / got note from Mr.. Tim
mons in which he said that he would be
pleased TO visit me when he had
gotten through with the ak other
men who had connected his name
with the young lady's in scandal. My last
escape was gone, and nothing but balloon
would save me. Well, / told Pope. He
again compiimented me highly; but didn't
want compliments. / wanted an exit from
the town.
"HowIoug have been an editor, Pope?'
said L.
"Four weeks
SHOW many roads are there out OF town."
"Four."
"Well, 1 offer my resignation"
= "You are insane. Why; you arc making
capital paper"
Z But was firm. had to do some very
sweet talking and some highly-polished
letter-writing before could smooth down all
the angry war occasioned, and could success
fully leave the town.