Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-05-19


A tall, thin, pale man was the editor Of
the Indepcndent-a man who stopped as
he walked. and whose speech was fire.
quently interrupted by peculiar spas.
modic noise in his throat, like a
strangled cough. He was not a talka.
tive man, possibly because of the
strangled cough. He was seen but lit.
tie on the streets, and always, when he
was out, appeared to have business in
some direction which engaged all his
attention until he withdrew to the
Office of the Independent to busy him.
self either in writing matter or putting
it into type.
The Independent man, Stillman, is
a mysterious sort of fellow" was the
opinion of the principal grocer OF
Hopeville; ''but he gets out mighty
good paper and will make it warm for
the Millennium, yet"
Henry Petit continued to write
caustic paragraphs for the benefit OF
the Independent, and every week ran
up and down from nonpariel to four
line great primer gothic in his badger
ing of Stillman's paper, but without
making any apparent impression on
that apathctic journal.
1t was after he had written a particu-
larry abusive and spiteful article that
Henry Petit waited for the appearance
of the Independent on Saturday. Surely
he could sting the editor into saying
something. Saturday came, but-no
Independent. Ha! the intsrloper had
found that he could not live in town
where the Millennium, prohibited his ex-
istence.
Il thought should drive him out, -
chuckled Mr.. Petit wonder where
the editor is?'' he thought. "Gucss he
is ashamed to show himself now that
his miserable paper has suspende d."
But it had not suspended. On Tues
day 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
he finished an exulting editorial to the
following effect:
The wretched conglomeration Of bad gram
mar. drivei and typographical errors. called
q newspaper, published in an obscure part
of Hopeville. has about run its course. Ii
comes out 1t irregular intervals and appears
the few buyers Of the ridiculous mass OF
rubbish to give only half what 10 paid for
when given full size the paper can be used
for wrapping small parcels; half of IL is OF
mentioned few, IL should suspend pubiica
ton at once.
In spite of this the Independc,t was
issued every week for six weeks longer.
Sometimes it was a few days late;
sometimes it appeared half size, and
again largely made up of old advertise.
ments 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 joyfully announced to his
readers that the Hopeville Independent
had not come out and would probably
not appear again.
Il should like to see this fellow, "
thought Henry Petit. They tell me
he is a scarecrow sort of individual.
wonder how he feels now that have
driven him out of the field? Thought
he could treat me with contempt, did
he? Guess he finds his mistake now.
I'll 60 and see him. Perhaps l might
strike bargain in buying up his ma
terial need some new type, anyhow,
and should Judge he has pretty fair
outfit
Boldly went Henry Petit to the house
where the Independent had been pub
lished and where the editor and his
wife lived. The front door was locked,
but Mr.. Petit was accustomed to fore
ing his way through the world, and he
hammered on the door in a loud, i'm
perative way that soon caused footsteps
to approach from the inside.
'.ls the editor IMP" asked Mr.. Petit,
in his loud, brassy way, as he was con-
fronted by little, pale woman who
seemed to have in her careworn face
and subdued manner all the personal
characteristics of Mr.. Stillman. except
the strangled cough.
.N-n-o, He-he is not in at present.
was the reply. in such low voice that
Mr.. Petit Involuntary thrust forward
his sharp countenance into her face to
catch her words.
"Well, my name is Petit. l an
editor and proprietor of the Hopeville
Millennium.
Eyes, sir"
'.And thought perhaps could be Of
service toto the editor here
THANK you. sir; but you could not
do any thing now"
The voice was getting lower, and the
tears trembling on the cyelashes could
not be hidden. Henry Petit began to
feel uncomfortable. and there was very
little brass in his tones as he repeated
her last words:
NOW! All yes; you think l was I'M
necessarily harsh in my paper; but that
was merely a matter of business. do
not feel any ill-will toward Mr.. Still
man."
Thank you," she replied, simply,
and if he had not seen the tears pour
ing fast down her checks he might
have thought she spoke ironically.
"Where is he? should like to tell
him SO" continued Henry Petit.
"Well, the fact is. hc-he-he-is-"
How hard she tried not to sob. and
how the tears would choke her voice!
What? He is ill. l can see it in
your face" He spoke sharply because
he was surprised, but there was not q
suspicion of his usual irritability in his
tone. How long has he been ill?"
"A long, long time; but he has only
been confined to his bed for the last two
months"
Two months! And how has he
to edit and print his paper'"
The pale little woman did not answer.
but Henry Petit turned his back to her
as he gave his eyes two vicious
slaps, and added: "And 1 have been
lighting q woman for two months
Il know it has been . very-very
poor paper since he became too sick
to do it himself; but he was anxious for
il to keep on. and-and-I did the best
l could she faltercd.
Tho best-edited paper that was ever
published in Hopevillet' blurted Henry
Petit. iiercely; land I'm going to tel
your husband so. Where is he? In
that back ROOM"
Before she could prevent him. Henry
Petit dashed at curtain that hung
across one end Of the Office. threw it to
one side, and-reverently uncovered
his head.
There was only one bed. on which
rested a tall. thin form with pale face,
though not much paler than it had been