Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-19
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without making any apparent impression
on that apathetic journal
1t was after he had written particularly
abusive and spiteful article that Henry
Petit waited for the appearance of The In
dependent on Saturday. Surely he could
sting the editor into saying something
Saturday came, but-no Independent
/ Ha. the interloper had found that he could
not live in town where The Millennium
prohibited his existence.
Il thought l should drive him out,
/ chuckIed Mr.. Petit wonder where the
/ editor isl he thought Guess he is ashamed
! to show himself now that his miserable
paper has suspended"
| But it had not suspended. On Tuesday it
was published, with an apology for its tardy
appearance
Mr.. Petit was red hot, and the whitening
sarcasm contained in next weeks Millennium
again tested the acrimonious qualities OF
every style of type in his Office.
The Independent was published on time
on the following Saturday, but was only
half its usual SIZE 1t again contained an
apology, but no explanation.
1t dies hard said Henry Petit, as be
finished an exulting editorial to the follow
ing effect:
The wretched conglomeration Of bad
grammar drivel and typographical errors,
called newspaper, published in an obscure
part of Hopeville, has about run its course.
1t comes out at irregular intervals and ap-
pears generally on a half-sheet 1t is q
swindle on the few buyers of the ridiculous
mass Of rubbish to give only half what is
paid for. When given full size the paper
can be used for wrapping small parcels; half
of it is Of no value whatever In justice tc
The above mentioned few, it should suspend
publication at once
In spite OF this The Independent was is
sued every week for six weeks longer.
sometimes it was few days late; some
times it appeared half size, and again
largely made up of old advertisements and
stereotype plates long out of date. 1t was
evidently struggling hard for existence.
At last it did stop.
Henry Petit waited until Thursday, and
then joyfuily announced to his readers that
The Hopeville Independent had not come
out and would probably not appear again.
Il should ike to see this fellow" thought
Henry Petit. They tell me that be is a
scarecrow sort of individual l wonder how
he feels now that l have driven him out of
the field. Thought he could treat me with
contempt, did he: Guess he finds his mis-
take now. III go and see him Perhaps
might strike bargain in buying up his
material / need some new type, any how,
and | should Judge he has pretty fair
outfit
Boldly went Henry Petit to the house
where The Independent had been published
and where the editor and his wife lived.
The front door was locked, but Nj Petit
/. y,
the world, and he hammered the door is a
loud, imperative way that soon caused foot
steps to approach from the inside.
Is the editor in." asked Mr.. Petit in his
loud, brassy way, as he was confronted by
little, pale woman who seemed to have in
her careworn face and subdued manner all
the personal characteristics Of Mr. Stillman,
except the strang!ed cough.
"N-n-ol He-he Is not in at present" was
the reply, in such low voice that Mr.. Pet
tit invountarily thrust forward his coun-
tenance into her face to catch her words
Well, my name is Petit 1 am editor
and proprietor of The Hopeville Melenium-
Yes, sir"
And thought perhaps i could be Of
service toto the editor here"
Thank you, sir; but you could no. do
anything now"
The voice was getting lower, and the
tears trembling on the eyelashes could not
be hidden. Henry Petit began to feel I'M
comfortable, ana there was very little
brass in his tones as he repeated her last
word:
Now! All, yes; you think was unneces-
sarily harsh in my paper; but that was
merely matter OF business l do not feel
any i'll will toward Mr. Stillman."
Thank you" she replied, simply, and if
he had not seen the tears pouring fast down
her cheeks be might have thought he spoke
ironically.
Where is he. l should like to tell him
so,' continued Henry Petit.
We'll, the fact is, he-he-he-is-"
How hard she tried not to sob. and how
the tears would choke her voice,
Nv hat? lie is il | can see it in your
face
bespoke sharply because he was surprised,
but there was not a suspicion OF his usual
irritability in his tone. How long has he
been III:
a long. long time; but he has only been
confined to his bed for the last two months
Two months, And how has be managed
20 edit and print his paper
The pale little woman dill not answer, but
Henry Petit turned his back TO her as be-
gave his eyes two vicious slaps, and nut
tered: And l have heen lighting woman
for two months
know it has been a very-very poor
paper since lie became too sick to do 1t him
self; but he was anxious for it to keep on,
and-and-l did the best | could" she
faltered.
The best-eiited paper that was ever pub
lished in Hope lie blurtcd Henry Petit
fiercely; and I'm going to tell your hus-
hand so Where is he In that back
room
Before she could prevent him, Henry
Petit dashed at curtain hung across one
end OF the Office threw il to one side, and
reverently uncovered his head
There was only bed, on which rested
tall. thin form with pale face, though not
much paler tran it had been two months
ego. but the stranglei cough was silenced
forever he editor of The Independent
was dead. George c. jerks in Pi.tsburE
Bulletin
The First Railroad in Maine.
II is related that when the frs. Maine