Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-12-25
COMMUNICATED.

Messrs. Editors.-I see in your issue
OF the 18th inst. that "Citizen" is still
trying to injure me by defamation, and
it is with reluctance and regret that l
am constrained, in justice to myself, to
reply.
He has not yet taken off his mask.
Why should man with so much expe-
rience write under a nom-de-plume?
Why is he ashamed to sign his real
name? He knows his statements are
false, and if he would sign his real name
the majority of the patrons of the office
would look at them in their true light;
therefore he writes under an assumed
name with the hope that the readers OF
your paper may think that the author
is a truthful man. He endeavors to
show his intelligence by referring to me
as the inexperienced boy, alias the dude.
1t is to be lamented that we have in our
midst an old man with SO much expert
ence who is 100 ignorant to know what
a dude is. He intimates that it is neces-
sary to have much experience in order
to write an article for newspaper. If
that be true, it would seem that "Citi-
zen," with his vast experience, ought
to have easily written that short COM
munication without the necessity of con-
vening caucus, consisting OF trio
the same old blowers and strikers with
one exception) who after grave deliber-
alton produced the mighty article. If
the said clique would give more time In
attending to their own business and
less in attempting to attend to other
peoples, it would doubtless contribute
to their advantage and to a more healthy
condition of their finances.
"Citizen" need not think his disguise
has answered the desired purpose, for
the cloven foot is too plainly visible.
This is not the first miss the said ag-
grieved aspirant has made through his
loud talk, vindictivenesS and slanderous
abuse-his prominent characteristics. 1t
is surprising that he, with his vast eX-
.perience, has not seen the folly and er-
ror of his way, for envy won't fatten
nor abuse make friends.
"Citizen" asserts that l was first ap-
pointed postmaster, but was not &C cept-
able to the majority of the patrons OF
the office, therefore my father q. s..
Melvin) was appointed. | will admit
that there may be a few soreheads who
feel aggrieved because their aspiring
friend did not get the appointment, but
| pronounce the assertion to be false
hood of the blacklist dye, which can be
established by undoubted proof. l am
informed, by one who knows, that my
petition has about the same number OF
signatures as R. l.. Wysong's, notwith-
standing his petition was fraudulent IN
its inception and largely obtained by
base and unmanly betrayal of conf
dence. j. S. Melvin had a petition in
his own name, and by consent of the
signers of said petition was authorized
to substitute my name IN lien OF his.
would ask the Democratic patrons
of the office which they would prefer OF
the two following persons to serve them
as postmaster, viz: The Democratic boy
who has recently cast his first Demo
cratic vote, or man over tw o score years
of age, who, a few years ago, endeavored
to get a position under the Republican
administration and claimed TO be as good
Republican as the Republican VINO
held the position.
II. l.. MELVIN.