The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1883-05-12
WHY HE LEFT.
Arkansas Traveler.]


uArknnsaW journalism was not very
inviting when 1 came to the State,'
said the religious editor of an apostolic
publication, "but l came regardless Of
invitation. entered the newspaper
business at quite an early age, and
soon became local editor of the Nash
vile Union, paper that tlourished be-
fore the war. We had no reporters in
those semi-weekly days of Southern
Journalism. The local editor was sup
posed to gather all the news and
write it in accordance with his own
ideas. There was no managing editor.
The editor was too much occupied with
politics TO pay any attention to news
matters so the local man, especially
as his department was one of secondary
consideration, had comparatively
easy time and very poor salary. One
night L went out to report the closing
exercises of the Medical College. This
was great event in society circles,
and the paper containing full account
was treasured by every one present.
The political editor cOndescended to
tell me to make full report for our
next edition, which came out in the
following morning, and impressed in
no small degree with my mission, I
went forth to execute the great COM
mand. l had not gone very far when
I met a party of friends. They recog-
nized my Importance and honored me
accordingly, but ventured to suggest
the propriety of going into saloon
and taking something to drink. AS
was rather early for the ceremonies,
went in and formed one link of a
circle around decidedly convivial
table. We took several drinks, when
I arose and declared that I must go.
thunder do you care for lot of doc.
tors =: You've got programme, so
what's the difference whether you go
or not :" l set down again, and before
could realize how time had flown, a
lato hour had arrived. l hurried to
the Office and from the programme
wrote up glowing account Of the
exercises. The editor read the proof
and expressed himself highly gratified
with the article. He became 80 en-
thusiastic over it that he declared his
intention of increasing my salary. l
went to my room, pleased with myself
and satisfied with the world. lay in
bed and smoked my pipe with thrill
ling sense Of pleasure. l dreamed of
fresh laurels, of coming greatness as a
journalist. I awoIe with pleasant
recollection of tho previous night.
ssThe editors words were fresh in
my ears. would be a great journalist.
The servant entered the room and
handed me the opposition paper. +
held it for moment and wondered II
the poor fellow who wrote up the
| Medical College exercises had received
such compliments from the editor as I
had swallowed. sI'll read tho poor
fellows report I unused. looked for
a double head but could not find it.
unequal to the occasion,' / thought.
Just then my eyes fell upon the fol-
lowing sensational paragraph: lowing
to the illness Of Prof, Eve, the COM
mencement exercises of the Medical
College, which were to have taken
place last night were postponed 1
was stunned. reached for my pants,
and drew them on In dazed way. l
left the room hurriedIy. While stood
at the foot of the stairs ] saw my
editor enter with shotgun. I slipped
around, climbed tho back fence, sought
tho suburbs, and meditated. I knew
that return to the city was certain
death. | had no money, but started
on foot voyage.
"After months OF weary walking l
reached ArNansaw, were i secured
situation as editor of a religious paper.
Here l cannot forestall events. The
The gospel goes ahead. Once l heard
that my old editor was dead and I
started on visit to Nashville, but
hearing the report contradicted, re-
turned. Editing Religious paper may
not be so sensational, but it is much
moro snfn -