Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-11-25

an YOU oughter say so. !"
"Oh, l can not afford to do anything
like that"
"W'y KANT your
because IL would make him mad
and wouldn't do me any good"
"Uv course il would make him mad,
an that's 'zackly whut you've got to do
ef you ever make anything outcn this
paper. Lemme tell you whut you do
now: Jes' come out an say that Hanks
is thief. Do it an blame me eff 1
don't help you along"
al cant do that, Mr.. Tyler, but I'll
tell you what will do: will publish
any communication that you may
write"
'But I'd halter put my name to it,
wouldn't Up"
yes"
"No. that wouldn't be business. Us
folks here air easy set, an somebody
mout think that l was prejudiced, an
/ wouldn't have 'em think thater way
fur putty, but you ken say whit you
please an folks won't pay any 'tention
to YOU"
This was high compliment, but l
could not comply with old Mats re-
quest. explained why such a course
would be disastrous. but he heard me
with impatience. When / had finished,
| he said
That's a pretty good talk, but it
don't show no sand, an sand is what
a mans got to have in this here settle
ment; an the quicker you show it the
better. Wall, I'll leave you to think
over whit I've said, an 1 hope you'll
soon come to your senses. Wall, good
day."
Old Mat had not been gone more
than ten minutes when Flip Hanks en-
tered the Office Hanks had never
favorably impressed me, and the fac
that he had killed newspaper man n
Texas made me uneasy when l was 90
unfortunate as to be thrown into Ais
society.
"Well, how are you stirrirgp"
Hanks asked, as he seated himself on
a box.
II can't complain. How are you
getting along?"
middling. How do you like
our town."
Every we'll"
easy set of people, and we like to see
every man enjoy himself. How are
you doing with your paperP Maxim
any money!"
mo; my patronage is. rather SLIM"
at always will be unless you adopt
n different course.
Il am doing my best"
"Yes, it seems that you are doing the
best you can against yourself. You
have been here long enough to see how
the land lays, and why you don't pitch
into that old fool Matt Tyler and give
him particular fits is something | don't
understand. You've certainly got
sense enough to see that he is trying to
run this town. He is as ignorant as
pig, and, more than ALL he is a thief.
Oh, know what am talking about.
Say, put this in your paper and charge
it to me-"
He gave me piece of paper on which
he had written the following:
Taking brains into consideration.
there is not bigger scoundrel in this
country than old Mat Tyler. Why any
community that pretcnds to be respect
able toleratcs him is n mystery to us.
The Hon. Mr.. Hanks, who is we'll
known to all our citizens, is the man
that is building up our country, and
ought to be encouraged by our peo-
pie"
"Mr. Hanks. can't print this"
"Why so, sir? You don't pretend to
insinuate that 1t is not true, do youp"
He gave me look that made me feel
nervous. NO" l replied, II do not
dispute your word. but"
"But whatp Spit it out"
"Well, I'll give your nv reason:
don't care to stir up q strife"
That's fine way for journalist to
talk. You haven't got the nerve of a
fish. Now l want that thing printed
and it's going in your paper. I offer
to pay for it and always demand what
pay for.
"Mr. Hanks, came here with the ex-
pectation of conducting my business in
n Gu'ct WAY, and | don't care to be
identified"
"All right. Go ahead in your own
quiet way, but if this thing don't come
out in the next issue of your paper
you'll hear more music around here
than YOU ever heard at circus. This
is all am going to say"
knew that he would carry out his
threat, and as did not care to hear
his kind of music. grew sick at heart.
AS was meditating, trying to devise
some way of escape. old Mat, who had
seen Hanks leave the office. entered
Here's suthin' that I've had r:t
out" said he, IAN want it to 90 in
your paper" He handed me a piece
of paper and read the following:
Flip Hanks is one of the worst men
unhung. He served g. term in the
Texas Pcnitcntiary and now he is
parading around as one of the best
men in this neighborhood. Hon. Mat
Tyler, though, is an honest, upright
gentleman"
look here, Mr.. Tyler, I can not
print this"
wall, use your own Judgment. but
If 1t amt printed you'll smell more
powder than you ever smelt before"
When he had gone sat down in de-
spair. While was thus musing, an
old friend-Blly Smith, the drummer
bounded into the Office.
"Why, what's the matter, old fell
lowp" he said. not cling my look of de-
lection. l related my experience.
"Now, what am l to doP" asked.
"Your position is not so enviable,"
he replied. when does your paper
come outP"
"Be out tomorrow.
"Well, you'd better slip away to-
night"
"But that would ruin me. l have
invested my all in this Office"
''Yes, that's true enough, but it's
better to lose your Office than to be shot
all to pieces"
"Of course, but what will the boys
sayp"
They'll laugh at you. of course. but
I'd rather he louphed Mt than IN no