The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-31
TWO JOURNALISTS.
They Amuse Themselves by Telling Whop-
ping Stories About Each Other.

Atlanta Constitution.
This is very credulous world The average
man would much prefer to believe than to de-
vote moments reasoning to prove the abeurdity
or falsty of statements or things in general
casually presented to him in the daily routine
of his existence. Joel Chandler Harris remarked
on this yesterday az he sat in the porch of his
pretty West End home, convalescing from
attack of illness which has confined him TO his
house for several weeks. He had occupied the
morning in reading his mail-au unusually largo
one-and an occasional chuckle as he read gave
evidence that something of the contents amused
HIM AS he finished his pile he remarked
I'm going to Chicago next week"
s'What for"
''To kill Eugene Field" said he. as he mashed
the tail of wandering cat that had settled I'M
der his chair.
For several years each of these two famous
journalists have been writing about the other in
the columns of their respective papers, and,
strange to say, the world at large has believed
all that has been said on both sides. 1t was Har
rs who in humorous strain, wrote the story
of Missionary Fields life ia Florida. and the peo-
pie believed it. The latter got when the
former had forgotten about it, by publishing his
celebrated biography of Joel Chandler Harris.
which was read with amusement by those who
knew his history and was implicitly believed by
those who didn't. But the latter got even, and
while resting on the laurels of his last victory
got sick and for the past few weeks has been
the meantime, the Chicago News daily
came to his desk in the Constitutions editorial
sanctum. One of these issues contained, in
Eugene Fields "Sharps and Flats" gosspy
story of wealthy American humorists, in which
it was shown that Harris led the list being
worth So 000 000 besides owning four thousand
acres of the best timber land of the State and
large interest in the Central road Furthermore
it was stated that his greatest delight was in lib
orally spending this to help the needy. This
was given general circulation, but the victim
never understood his recent numerous appeals
for aid until yesterday, when he made the de-
termined resolve above credited to him.
For the past four days he has averaged thirty
letters day, of this character. One from
Mansfield O., asks for
small contribution to help widowed mother with
thirteen small children, and without of SUD-
port.
Another begs that the generous humorist
be kind enough to remember me in the generous dis
trbution of your ample fortune which the good Lord
gave you, knowing that you would so wisely it.
A third only wants 800
to send little Johnnie to school, as his poor parents
unable give him the advantages which he should
have
Another, from Crockett's Ford, Neb, says:
II am sure that with such an immense fortune you
will help poor soldier who wounded in the
trenches around Atlanta. / cannot work and will
not beg and as find that you generously in.
cined | throw myself at your feet well deserving
your benefcence. Would to heaven that riches were
Tor only such as you.
These. however. ara only samples of hundreds
of q similar kind.