The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-03-26
MEEK LrTTLE SIMEON MIX.

| bly, eXcuSablc. however, for the man who
wrote it was doubtless unacquainted with
little Simeon Mix. If this should come
to the eye of the author of that cheerful
specimen of orthodox literature, | hope
he will revise his work in this respect.
The information as to meekness should
be given thus:
QHestion--Who was the mcckest man !?
Answer-Little Simeon Mix.
Because there never could have been a
man quite rs meek as little Simeon was.
His name was at the head of the Grass
and proprietor, and so he was: but he
had no more to say about the way things
should be run in the establishment than
the tinker's apprentice next door had.
Mr.. Joshua Boggs, the foreman of the
office, was the Beacon Lighfs dictator
Nobody ever thought of going to little
Simeon to have anything put in or left
out of the paper. because they knew that
Mr.. Boggs would more than likely kill the
one and put in the other: so they always
asked Mr. Boggs if SO and so could be
noticed. and if such and such a thing
couldn't be passed over. Little Simeon
never put his copy on the cook with any
thought that it would go in as lie wanted
it, if it went in at all, and he never vent
urcd to put copy out if Mr.. Boggs was
looking. lie moved about his establish
mcnt as if he were an interloper, liable to
be ordered out at any moment He al
ways spoke to and Of his foreman as ''Mr.
Boggs.' but the foreman WAS never more
respectful to little Simeon than to call
him "Sim.' He generally addressed
him rs "You sap-head. Mr. Boggs
ruled the dcstinics of the Beacon Light
with an iron hand. and little Simeon per-
formed the functions of editor publisher
and proprietor it'll fear and trembling.
The publication day of the Beacon
LigM was Tuesday. and it was little Sim
cons wcll-known desire to have the paper
printed on Monday night. Consequently,
Mr.. Boggs issued the paper promptly on
Wednesday afternoons. a paper dated on
Tuesday and not coming out until We'd
nesday, did not strike little Simeon as
being good journalism, but, of course. he
could not think Of suggesting such thing
to Mr.. Boggs. One night All idea struck
little Simeon, after he had gone to bed
1t was such bold one that it scared him.
Why not change the date Of the paper to
Wednesday? That was the idea. But to
carry it into execution was what required
the nerve. 1t would never do to let Mr..
Boggs know of it. Little Simeon rolled
and tossed for hours on his couch. so bur-
dcned was he with his idea. Finally he
crept out of bed, dressed himself, stole
from his house, and went by a round about
way, through dark back streets, to the
office of the Beacon Light. He unlocked
the door, and, with trembling limbs, tip
toed into the office 1t was his own Office
but he felt like thief. The forms for the
paper were made up and on the stone ready
to go to press the next day, which was
Wednesday Little Simeon struck match
and crept up to the stone.
Law" said he. ''f Mr.. Boggs knew this
he'd be mad enough to kill me. I've a
notion not to do it, now.
But he did. lie lifted out the word
Tuesday and the date, and placed
"wednesday and the corresponding date
in their place. Then he left the office as
stealthiiy rs he had entered, and flew back
home as il the terrible Mr.. Boggs was in
close pursuit. Little Simeon sleptnota wink
that night. and half dressed himself twice
with the intention Of going back to the office
and undoing the bold work he had done.
The next morning he had no courage to
90 to the office, and sent word to Mr.. Boggs
that he was i'll. The paper come out all
right dated Wednesday. On Thursday
little Simeon went To the Office with fear
and trembling. He expected a blast from
Mr.. Boggs. and admitted himself that he
deserved it, But he nearly tainted when
Mr.. Boggs greeted him with a pleasant
smile, and said:
'.Ah, Good morning, Simmy.
Little Simeon was filled with remorsc.
"Nr. Boggs hasn't found me out yet,
said he. eth come by and by"
But it didn't. Nothing was said by any
one about the change in the Beacon LtghfS
publication day. Little Simeon began to
feel better and look upon his little moon
light coup as master stroke of genius.
The next week the Beacon Lighfs new pub
LEGATION day came around, but no Beacon
Light appeared Mr.. Boggs had resented
the unhcard of eilrontery of little Simeon
Mix in interfering with the management OF
the paper lie brought the Beacon Lfghi
out on Thursday. and on Thursday it came
out thereafter, dated Wednesday.
Mr.. Bogg's dislpproval of his employer
ideas in journalism was SO universal that
little Simeon was at last forced to use sub
terfugc and stratagem to make his per
} sonality felt in the conduct of the Beacon
Lfght This was suggested to him, how
ever by Billy Putcrbaugh, the devil of tho
establishment. Billy was little Simeon's
confdant One night little Simeon and
Billy were alone in the office.
"Here's an editorial, " said little Simeon,
chat would like to have set douhle-lead-
ed in long primer, but Mr.. Boggs won't
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