The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-08-07

and wrote the following, which APP.
peared in the next issue of the Millen.
tun:
1--WE have been asked whether the rumor
that there 10 another weekly paper in Hope
vile is based on fact. We can not give o
sickiy looking sheet pasted ON a bulletin
board outside q house on street. As
this particular sheet is the only one we ever
culationr OF what our Correspondent has per.
haps heard called a weekly paper. 1t il
doubtful whether another issue will appear,
Is we understand the alleged editor has a;
success that has attended his efforts to force
his dreamy rubbish down the threats of the
intelligent citizens of Hopeville."
The Millennium was published every
Thursday and the Independent on Sat
urday. Mr.. Petit watched eagerly for
the next issue of his rival, and as soon
as he had secured copy, looked all
over the paper for reply to his para
graph. Not word. The Independent
came out brighter and newsier than
ever, with well-considered, conserva-
tive editorial comments on the leading
topics of the day, particularly those of
local interest, but without the slightest
indication that it had ever heard either
of the Millennium or its editor.
The next week Mr.. Petit tried it
again. He published paragraph in
which he limited my steriously at paper
having appeared in Hopeville with the
secret object of poisoning the minds of
the people against all the most cher
ished institutions of the town. He even
went so far as to imply that the editor
had reasons for hiding himself from
those who had known him formerly as
the resident of large city some five
hundred miles away, finishing his re-
marks with the prophecy that in less
than month the Millennium, would
again be the only paper in Hopeville,
as it was to all intents and purposes at
the present writing.
But the Independent continued to
ignore MIR. Petit, and grew in circula-
ton and prosperity from week to week.
A tall, thin, pale man was the editor of
the Independent man who stopped as
he walked, and whose speech was fire.
quently interrupted by peculiar spas
modic' noise in his throat, like .
strangled cough. He was not a talka-
tive man. possibly because of tho
strangled cough. BE 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
. mysterious sort of fellow" was the |
opinion of the principal grocer of |
"but he gets out a mighty |
good paper and will make it warm for |
the Millennium yet
Henry Petit continued to write /
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 apathetic Journal. tAk
It was after he had written a particu-
larly 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 interloper had
found that he could not live in town
where the Millennium prohibited his ex-
istence.
II thought should drive him out"
chuckled Mr.. Petit wonder where
the editor lisp" he thought. 'Guess he
Is ashamed to show himself now that
MS miserable paper has suspende d."
But it had not suspended. On Tues
lay it was published, with an apology
'or its tardy appearance. Mr.. Petit
vas red-hot, and the whitening sarcasm
contained in next weeks Millennium
gain tested the acrimonious qualities l.
+ every style of type in his Office. The
was published on time on
he following Saturday, but was only L.
lalf its usual SIZE 1t again contained
n apology, but no explanation. 1
1T dies hard" said Henry Petit, as
le finished an exulting editorial to the
GLOWING effect: L
The wretched conglomeration of bad gram
newspaper, published in an obscure part
( Hopeville, has about run its course. 1t
ONES out IT irregular intervals and appears
be few buyers Of the ridiculous mass of
Vheu given full size the paper can be used
Or wrapping small parcels; half of it 10 of .
o value whatever. In justice to the above |
mentioned few, IL should suspend publica-
on at once.
In spite Of this the Independe,,t was
'sued every week for six weeks longer.
ometimes it was a few days late;
ometimes it appeared half size, and
gain largely made up of old advertise.
nents and stereotype plates long out Ii
4 date. 1t was evidently struggling |
ard for existence. At last it did stop.
Henry Petit waited until Thursday, II
nd then joyfully announced to his
eaders that the Hopeville Independent III
ad not come out and would probably / (.
ct appear again. Ii
II should like to see this fellow" I
bought Henry Petit. .'They tell me i
g is scarecrow sort of individual. I liz
Tonder how he feels now that have IL
riven him ont If the fieldp Thou0ht 9