The Press., 1884-03-20
Interviewing an Editor.

Interviewing an Editor. Tom Smith tumbled into the sanctum one day, In boisterous, clustering sort of a way. Coarsely clad face unshaven, each separate hair Standing up for itself, with devil-may- -care Look about his whole makeup, and club in
 his hand In a rough way he spoke, ''Now you just un-
 derstand Pm not going to have you say things about me That ain't so, in your confounded paper; I'll
 be (Never mind the hard words) if I do; just
 look here" He took from his pocket the last Gazetteer, And folded it over and over again Hill his eye caught the item he looked fol, ,and
 then *~ " 4-' &' s~+- He slammed down the sheet on the editors
 table J r In manner which said, ''Explain that, f you
 are able" The editor glanced where Tom pointed, and
 saw, First a head in small caps, GIN THE Tons OF
 THE LAW" -.@ E. Then, 'On Monday, Tom Smith, fore His
 Honor was brought. For robbing hen roost at which he was
 caught; He pleaded not guilty but that was too thin, For when found he'd the bag with the chick
 ems therein; s& E@.s . He was tried and found guilty, and sentenced
 to pay A fine of ten dollars. He tried to be gay, And remarked, as he paid fine and costs, o,
 the dickens, That's pretty steep price just for three little
 chickens ]" Round the editors mouth wreathed beauti-
 ful smile As he looked up at Tom, who had stood there
 the while, .s..* ..s..:* Closely watching the face of the man of the
 pen. ' Each looked at each other moment, and then The editor spoke and his manner was bland And his tone of the smoothest-''Do under
 stand That you're the Tom Smith that is spoken of
 here As being caught robbing hen roosts r" The
 absence of fear l-= And the kind, courteous way, sort of set Tom
 aback, Though of physical courage he'd never a lack, And he answered, with less of the rude in his
 manner Than when he first spoke-'' That's the mat
 ter with Hanner;' It was not me at all, sir, but that is my name, And I do not like, sir, to suffer the shame There is no other Tom Smith in town be-
 lieve-" Said the editor, ''Hold on o bit-I perceive The directory says there are nine Thouas Do you really think the eight others are
 myths ?' Twas poser for Tom what were myths did
 not know, t.,. Nor of other Tom Smiths round about him.
 so
 His anger took flight, and the fire left his eye For moment he hardly knew how to reply ; Then happy thought came to his mind, and
 he said, 1T don't like that piece, sir, that you have ant you say, if you please, in your paper
 next week, That the Tom Smith who lives out on Cran-
 berry creek Is not the Tom Smith who was fined for hen
 stealing" ?" Said the editor, ''That's not the best of deal
 ing There are eight more Tom Smiths, as you
 see, in the town And each one would see it, no doubt, and
 come down, And want to publish that he's not the man Now wouldn't it be good deal better plan To say nothing about it-'f you left it alone It will die af itself; those by whom you are known Will know very we'll that it cannot mean you, For they know it is something that you would not do. While for those who don't know you, you sure do not care." Tom at once saw the point, and replied 'I declare, You are right it is best to say nothing; for give
 My rough speech; I was mad, and as sure as you live, If you'd spoken up ugly your head I'd have | broke,
 But you met me so kindly, 50 pleasantly spoke, That l couldn't strike you, and you then made What fool had been bout what doesn't mean me. | I-guess- -Ill-subscribe for your paper, and here
 Is the pay; you may send it, # you please, ,fol 8 year: @4s .-s And if I ever get caught fooling again, | With an editor, you may just take up your And write Tom Smith, of Cranberry creek, is | fool,
 And ought to be sent to some old woman's school;' | Good day. sir" Tom went out, and he swears to this day You cannot find gentleman, go where you may, Who's so smart, or so courteous and pleasant can be, &- | As the newspaper editor he went to see. ----------------------------- ---------