Daily Republican., 1883-08-21
A REPORTER'S ADVENTURE.
Hunting f"ss John Smith - Alls
Wei 1.sai Ends Well.


porter of the REPUBLICAN was busy
writing up items to try and stop for a
time the everlasting cry Of "copy,.
COPY" with which he WAS haunted,
he had a note laid on his table, which
read Meet me at Fourth and Blank
streets at 8 o'clock this evening"" and
signed John Smith
After the wants Of the copy fiends
had been filled, and the foreman an.
nOunced that condensing was in order,
the scribe had time to ponder over
what was to him a mysterious missive.
At first he was inclined not to pay
any attention to ii, as he thought II
might possibly have come from some
individual who considered himself ag-
grieved by some article that had been
published, and wanted to interview the
luckless scribe.
A brilliant idea then struck him,
which was nothing more or less than to
hand the note to the pugilistic editor,
plead a previous engagement, and gel
him 10 meet the mysterious John Smith,
and he descended to his office, chuck.
ling 10 himself to think how the afOre'
said Mr.. Smith would be fooled when
he undertook to climb the frame of the
aforesaid pugilistic member of the staff,
but alas for human calculations, thai
individual had finished his days labor
and gone home.
The reporter then called to mind all
the members Of the Smith family that
he haa ever been acquainted with, and
~ he could not remember the fact OF
ever having written a single line that
reflected on any of them, concluded to
go himself. He was in measure actll.
ated by feeling Of curiosity, to zee
what the whole matter meant, 20 a few
minutes before six o'clock he repaired
to the corner of Fourth and Blank
streets.
One corner is occupied by bakery, a
second by barber shop, another by a
cigar store, and the last by a c0nfec,ion.
cry. On this last named, with tele-
graph pole for a support the reporter
took his station to wait the coming OF
the mysterious John. st. Mary's bell
tolled out the hour of 6, but no one
came hve minutes passed, and the
scribe was becoming impatient, when
sure enough he saw John Smith coming
down Blank street.
He came nearer and spoke, and was
about 10 pass on hen the reporter
opped him and raid, EXCUSE me, Mr..
Smith, but did not receive note from
you today TO meet you here this even
ing 2" No, sir, you did not, be re-
piled with chilling politeness and pass
ed on. After waiting few minutes
l., ! ff Ia m al
Der of the Smith family, the reporter
ventured to inquire at the segar store If
they knew of such person.
"Smith, Smith," said the proprietor
as though he was trying u bring an un.
familiar name u mind, yes, lemme
see, think man by that name boards
in that house over yonfer,' Iointing to
u large building on the opposite side.
After thanking him, the scribe crossed
the street, and approachinga lady who
was sitting at the door said: " Is there
a gentleman by the name Of Smith
boarding here 2" when the lady replied
81 don't know, but III +ee."
She entered the house but re-appeared
In q moment with q pleasant looking
little woman, who, when the question
was repeated, said there was, but he
was eating his supper, and concluded
by inviting the searcher after Smith in.
to the parlOr. He was ushered into a
neatly furnished room, and after taking
seat viewed the surroundings, and
wondered more than ever who Smith
cond be and what he wanted.
In few minutes q man took posi-
ton Just outside rear window in the
yard, and commenced to carefully look
over Il copy of the REPUBLICAN as
though he was searching Tor some par.
ticular article ;ah! thought the reporter
this is Smith, and he has brought me
into this trap, and when he finds the
article relating to him he will show 1t
to me, and demand reparation. But
even while he was still engaged In look.
ing over the paper the Mr. Smith that
the reporter had spoken TO a few min
utes before on Blank street, came in the
room.
AS soon az he saw who his visitor
was he t'rOwnetl and said "What do
you want following me up in this man
ner?" The reporter explained to him
that it was through an annoying mis-
take that he had come to the house, and
that he had no idea that he was the
John Smith that boarded there. lie
also showed him the note, and after
carefully examining 1t, they both came
to the conclusion that it was a sell, and
after again apologizing for the intrn-
sion the reporter started out, followed to
the door by Mr.. Smith
just as he stepped to the pavement,
he noticed several men standing on the
corner, and heard one OF them say,
"There he comes nOw," and as the
words were spoken, another John
Smith emerged from the crowd, and ap-
preaching the reporter shook hands
warmly as he said, 81 WAS afraid you
wasn't coming. You see we are from
the rolling mill, and we are going to
present our superintendent with a gold
watch and chain this evening, and we
wanted to have you along with us.
The reporter ascertained the time and
place, and after promising to be on
hand hurried home, and on the way
actually bought watermelon, which
was butchered on Sunday IN honor OF
his deliverance from the supposed irate
John Smith.
Rev. w. b. Smith, Grafton, Mass,
says: 81 have derived benefit from
using Browns Iron Bitters for a low
state of blood"