The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-12
AN EASY SET.
CHAPTER l..

OHG OL tAC NAOSk ACdtuLCS OI the WeekLy Spear was this announce ment: "John N. Bristol, editor and pro- prietor." began my newspaper career by establ sling rather by starting-the Spear, in the little town of Chat Cove, Arkansaw. The town was so far from a railroad that several of its citizens who had "rid on the cayah" were looked up to as heroes of travel. When it became known that was "a gre t traveller" a number of prominent men, who wore "bed tick" suspenders and wheat straw hats, called upon me. The spokesman an, old Mat Tyler, shook hands with me and said <:
 "They tell me that you have been round right smart2"
 "Well," replied with befitting mod esty, have seen some little of the coun. try"
 "I reckon so. They tell me that you've rid on the railroad T'
 "Oh, yes. 1 was once conductor ot gravel train."
 A whut sort of train ?"
 "A gravel train-a train that hauls gravel and other material for repairing the road"
 The old man began to weigh this piece of information, while Nick Armstrong, removing his lank leg from a corner of my writing table, incredrlously shook his head.
 Elf that's the case," said old Mat, "you oughter know how to make news- paper, for it peers to me like man that ken take kere uv a railroad cayah ken take kere uv anything that happens to come along. What air you goin' to ax fur paper, Mir. Brizentine ?"
 My name is Bristol"
 Yas, that is fact sence you mention it. A famb'ly of Brizentines used to live down here on the north side O the Knob an l sometimes git the'r names mixed but you ain't answered my question. Whatre you goin' to ax fer your paper ?"
 TWO oOtlaIS year.
 "Whutl" the old man exclaimed, "you ain't goin' to print it year, air you?"
 "Oh, yes.''
 Wall. how must we pay?"
 " In advance"
 "Befo' we git the papers ?"
 "Yes."
 Wall, what skyority air you goin' to give?"
 |" There is no need of security. Thatis the way all the newspapers do."
 "i didn't know. Do you reckon the paper will help the townS"
 Undoubtedly it will"
 "Wall, didn't know. A man was through here about month ago an he said that they started newspaper in his town an it pretty nigh killed the place, but reckon we'd better gin you trial Whut do you say, Armstrong;"
 ain't purticular," Mir. Armstrong re- piled. "Don't know but it mout be a good idee to try him few falls"
 MT. Armstrong was the champion wrestler of the settlement" and " few falls was favorite expression with him. "l reckon you're right, Armstrong;" old Mat rejoined. Then, addressing me, he added: "Youn find us easy set uv folks to get along with. It has been said that we air too easy fur our own good, an don't know but it's fact. Wall, start the shebang runnin' jest as soon as you git ready. Don't you want to dampen your whissul p
 This was polite invitation to take drink. excused myselfin self.defense for the favorite beverage of Chat Cove made of alcohol and water, was merciless en- emy to mankind.
 "So these are the men with whom must deal," l unused, as l turned to my work. "They may prove to be stubborn at first, but must educate them. have a mission to fulfill"
 CHAPTER II.
 The business of Chat Cove was not ex- tensive. There were three general mer- chandise stores, one carpenter shop and