The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-05-15

for the next issue of his rival, and as
soon as he had secured copy, looked
all over the paper for a reply to his
paragraph Not a word The indie
pendent came out brighter and news
Ter than ever, with well-considered,
conservative editorial comments on
the leading topics of the day, particu-
larly those of local interest. but with
out the slightest indication thatit had
ever heard either of the Millennium or
its editor.
The next week Mr.. Petit tried it
again. He published a paragraph in
which he limited mysteriously at a
paper having appeared in Hopeville
with the secret object OF poisoning the
minds of the people against the most
cherished institutions of the town.
He even went so far as to imply that
the editor had reasons for hiding him
self from those who had known him
formerly as the resident of a large
city some 500 miles away, finishing
his remarks with the prophecy that in
less than month the Millennium
would again be the only paper in Hope
vile, as it was to all intents and pur-
poses at the present writing.
But the Independent continued to
ignore Mr.. Petit, and grew in circula-
ton and prosperity from week to
week. A tall, thin, pale man was the
editor of the Independence man who
stopped as he walked, and whose
speech was frequently interrupted by
a peculiar spasmodic noise in his
throat, like a strangled cough. He
was not talkative man, possibly be-
cause OF the strangled cough. He was
seen but little on the streets, and
always, when he was out, appeared to
have business in some direction which
engaged all his attention until he with
drew to the office of the Independent
to busy himself either in writing mat
ter or putting it into type.
''That Independent man. Stillman,
is a mysterious sort of fellow" was
the opinion of the principal grocer of
Hopeville; ''but he gets out a 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 nonpareil to four
line great primer gothic in his badger
ing OF Stillman's paper, but without
making any appal ent. impression on
that apathetic Journal.
1t was after he had written a par
ticularly abusive and spiteful article
that Henry Petit waited for the ap
pearance OF the Independent on Satur-
day. Surely he could sting the editor
into saying something.
Saturday came, but-no Independ-
emit. Ha the interloper had found
that he could not live in town where
the Millennium prohibited his existence.
81 thought should drive him out"
chuckled Mr.. Petit. wonder where
the editor is ?" 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.
MI. 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 explana-
ton.
at dies hard" said Henry Petit,
as he finished an exulting editorial to
the following effect:
'The wretched condemnation of
bad grammar, drivel and Topographic
cal errors, called newspaper, pub
hshed IN an obscure part OF Hopeville,
has about run it's course. 1t comes
out at irregular intervals and appears
generally on half-sheet. 1t is aswin.
die 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 what
ever. In Justice to the above-men-
toned few, it should suspend publica-
ton at once"
In spite of this the independent 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. It 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 Independ-
ent had not come out and would prob
ably not appear again.
81 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 go and see him. Perhaps l might
strike a 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 Mr.. Petit was accustomed
to forcing his way through the world,
and he hammered on the door in a
loud, Imperative way that soon
caused footsteps to appreciation the
inside.
is the editor in ?" 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.. StilIman, except
the strangled cough.
Moo He-he is not in at pres
ent," was the reply, in such a low
voice that Mr.. Petit involuntarilv
thrust forward his sharp countenance
into her face to catch he~ words.
'WelI, my name is Petit. | am edi-
tor and proprietor of the Hopeville
Millennium"
Eyes, sir"
And thought perhaps l could be
OF service toto the editor here"
THANK you, sir; but you could not
do anything now"
The voice was getting lower, and the
tears trembling on the eyelashes could
not be hidden. Henry Petit began
to feel uncomfortable, and there was
very little brass in his tones as he re-