The Osceola times., 1882-03-25
ECCENTRIC EDITORS AND PRINTERS
WITH wH0g | HAVE NET.
Printers Journal.


have been traveller for over thirty
seven years. | earnestly believe that
there does not exist village, town, or
city, important enough to sustain news
paper. throughout the United States or
Canada, that have not visited. ! am
veritable tramp" without the attributes
which 90 to make that famous character,
for | have never begged shilling
wherewith to secure a meal, nor have i
been compelled to walk when railway
or stage route could advance me on my
way for honest money; yet my nature
con ;tantly craved for a change, aud,
humoring it, have been wanderer or
the face of the earth ever since the day
| finished my apprentioeship-the third
of June lS35-when, bidding my assocl-
ates and New York adieu, ! started OIL
with the avowed intention of seeing the
world, and that | have partially sue
ceeded am satisfied. Even at the pres
ent day, with the weight Of three score
of years resting upon me, | can scarcely
realize that it is time for me to rest.
Much as | am inclined to roam, ! have
alwav had an ardent desire to let my
bones rest in the city of New York,
l i
/ sible that the grim messenger may over
take me upon the highway, far from the
/ natal spot, but trust that q different
/ fate is in store for me.
| During the many years that | have
/ been tramp" have met with some
rare and curious people in connection
with the art of printing OF which | am
a humble disciple. Unlike other indus
/ trial arts it affords every advantage for
/ the development of the idiosy
of the subject who begins ite under its
| teachings. Higher culture and intelli'
gence exist among our iellow-craftsmen
/ than with other artisans; therefore,
whenever we find superior minds we
must be prepared for reasoners and pecu-
/ liar people, as the natural result or
/ tendency of our profession. Too much
learning maketh a man mad" The art
of printing maketh a man cynic, a
scotler at creeds and faiths. Ii destroys
all the finer elements of our nature, and
in place thereof, arises a petriiaCtion
upon which is engrlveu misbeliet; a
pillar Of doubt, against which traditions
and theories, religious or social, are
dashed to pieces. The art is in itself,
iconoclasiic; superstitions, fauaticlsms,
and bigotry have been crushed beneath
lis feet in the grand march from l4i0 to
the present era of enli lhtenment Ma
tons have fallen from greatness to actual
dependence by reason Of policy dictat'
ing lrammels upon the great giant of
intelligence. Others have risen, asserted
their power. only by aid Of this master
of the mind. Churches and states trem-
bic at its sway, and no religious or social
Per,ian can be found foohardy enough,
to attempt to chain its massive waves,
The children of this great art, therefore
are the offspring of intelligence, and
that they differ flom other bodies
of men in the scope Of their in.
tellect, is sufficient cause for their being
assigned a niche among the curious.
Among the odd people with whom /
have met, one OF the most rare was Col.
/ c., of Georgia. Originally printer,
he graduated from "the art preservatlve"
/ into lawyers office, where he began to
study briefs instead of BREWER. He was
successful. After years of legal work
/ his early love came back with redoubled
force, and, to humor it, he began the
publication of weekly newspaper, in a
north western town of his native state
where first had the pleasure of meet.
! ing him, in the year 1872. ] will never
| forget my first interview with that re-
markable man. | had heard of him in
the lower part of the state previously.
| Upon entering the Office, | inquired for
Col. C., and was sent, by one of bis
aids, up stairs to dingy little room on
the second story, where | found a short,
stout Individual scratching away with a
pen upon piece OF paper as if for very
life itself. His hat vas set upon his
head with such vigorous look, that |
mentally decided that it was not the in
tention of the owner to have it removed
until time left its marks upon it so in
delibly that renovation was necessary
As | entered | caught sight of a
very florid face, and very ugly looking
eyes, with great bristing eyebrows tina,
stood out like quilts, or pixies rather
ready for impallng an adversary.
hemmed a little; he took no notice oi
me. | coughed louder; the writer went
on. | ventured TO utter word; no re.
cognition. | lost temper, and took q
chair. played with my thumbs until
was tired of the amusement | seized a
paper and began to read The writing
went on more rapidly, it seemed to me
than ever laid down the paper and
examined carefully the profile of the in
dustrious author before me- A chill
went through me; the man was bar
barian, a cannibal, for aught that ! knew
The article he was writing was working
up his features in a horrible manner
now malignant scowl; again a demoniC
grin, as If he was numbering some invisi
A.. L.i I a l.. 4.
threw down his pen, and then stretched
his short leGs under the table anc
smiled in a ghastly way. | ventured tC
remark that it was "a beautiful day." He
turned his eyes slpwly toward me, ant
in n voice resembling the growl of 4
tiger said that he thought it was.
felt encouraged, and proceeded: 81
nave heard, Colonel, that you wanted
some help upon your paper, and as wa
in our vicinity, | thought | would cal
and see you"
"Who in hi told you so?" A deepe,
growl than the former accompanied thi:
query.
"No one" | replied.
"Well, why do you want to say one
moment that YOU heard / wanted help
and then confess that it was a lie
What do you call yourself2 A printer,
eh! Speak, and don't sit there like {
( - fool, Who and what are your Why
do you want to come crawling in here
disturbing me with your croaking?"
was unprepared for such a sally al
the foregoing; yet, curbing my fast rs
ing temper, | retorted-"lt was not in
hi that | heard of you, Colonel, al
though you may suppose so, but in c.
where your friend Campbell resides. As
il is. however | will not trouble Won