The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-08-04


ceipts, an furren news about Congress,
yen play out purity soon, I'm thinkin," and
the old gentleman, in no very amiable mood,
turned about and left the ofice.
II Is not a very great exaggeration % say
thai by evening On the day after the first
issue Of the Western AepHtL.e the editor felt
very much inclined 10 commit suicide.
After a few days he learned not 10 worry
at the follies Of some people, and, besides,
those who annoyed him most were greatly
In the minority. BY catering 10 the vanity
Of the few who are ambitious 10 have their
names in print, he preserved their favor,
and did not iniure his circulation. Those
who were offended az being forgotten be-
came good natured on being remembered.
The more sensible offered words Of encour-
agement 70 the new editor and hoped he
would succeed. The second issue had .
short essay from Miss Hopkins, and
shorter poem from Toney Barnes.
Allen was hard at work on the third issue
when Tom Simmons again dropped in on
him with "A serious look on his face.
~ say, Mr.. Gray, isn't it about time you
were beginnin' 20 shoot some fire darts into
the enemy's campi" he asked.
"What do you mean, Mr.. Simmonsf- the
editor asked.
"Isn't il time you war lettin' the enemy
know ye war herel That is, come out, show
yer colors an fire away on 'em. Give the
Democrats fits. Hold 'em up 10 contempt
and say something smart about me, ye
know; that I'd make good member Of the
Legislature"
~ fear it's little too early for that II
would certainly endanger your cause"
"D'ye think it raley would"
81 know itn
"Then don't by any means hint such
thing"
BY promising 70 act fair in the future he
disposed OF the politician for the time being.
But he was scarcely gone before Mr.. George
Strong entered 10 caution him not 70 be TOO
intimate with Tom simmons
"He's got no standin' here, anil ruin any
business. By the way, Mr.. Gray" he
added, in an undertone, "ts good bit OF
yet, but next election I've bout made up my
mind TO run for sheriff on the Dimicratic
ticket expect the Hes<rn Republic TO sup
port me-"
Allen Gray found himself liable 70 get in
O position which politicians term riding two
horses going in different directions at the
same time. CoSld he support Republican
for the Legislature and Democrat for
sheriffi But he told his Democratic friend,
as he had advised his Republican friend,
70 wait future developments. Mr.. Strong
smiled and said may be it was best, but took
occasion TO remark that of course he would
not have donated a cent had he not felt as
sured that the paper would come 10 his aid
in the hour of need. With jealous politicians,
unskilled business advertisers and rival
poets, the new editor found himself getting
into serious complications.
When Strong was gone Toney Barnes,
who had been walking back and forth in
a f.l..
looks inside for the last half hour, Gu
tered.
"Well, what Ia IT." Allen asked, fearing
another volley Of Ms.
WASN'T tilat an awful piece Miss Hop
kins had in the paper last week about love
I'd be ashamed 70 write any thing like It,"
"Oh, il was pretty fair"
"Dyou think so, Well that may do, but
I'd advise you 10 have nothing TO do with
Miss Hopkins writins. She can't writo
any thing that will be acceptable with tho
public. If you want essays or stories, I'll
write 'em for you; but she will be sure TO
ruin the paper"
Next day, as Allen was in the midst OF
news itoms concerningkthe wreck OF
steamer he was aware o. some ono enter
ing his office. He looked up and discovered
Miss Hopkins, the old maid school teacher,
and Toneys rival as poet.
~ just thought would call in, Mr.. Gray"
she said, smiling carefully, lest she should
lose her false teeth, "and bring you some
poetry. sec you had one of the effusions
of Mr.. Barnes in your last issue, and con.
cluded that if'you was In such u strait for
poetry wouol bring you some myself"
The editor felt lad. He assured her that
he really had no occasion for poetry, but
sometimes inserted few lines IL the verses
were short
"Mine arc very short and so quaint"
"What is the subjecti"
"It Is an ode to u bat found dead IN .
garrett
Allen thought Of all subjects on earth 0
dead bat would be least calculated To in
spire one with poetic thought.
"Shsll road itf' she asked. She was
lady and he could not refuse TO listeR, %
phe read:
''You feathery, leathcry, ungainly bat,
Sail round the room and fly in my has
Or haste to escape at the door
You amuse the boys. you frighten the est
But now you are dead, poor bat
Lying on the floor.
None make your shroud
None shed q tear,
Unfortunate bal,
Over your bier.
.'No tears be shed at this sad tale,
So by its wing upon this nail
I'll hang IL. Only q bat
Hung on the wall
For folks to look NJ,
And that's ALL"
This poetic effusion had the merit Of
brievity, and the editor thought he might
have room for IL.
81 think l will soon begin a serial story In
the Western Republic" said Miss Hopkins.
Suppressing groan, the editor asked her
tho title
"7he Ghost Of the Rock House on tho Rtte
Top"
The answer brought to the mind OF the
editor the mysterious house on the hill, aud
he asked Miss Hopkins IL she knew any
thing of the people who inhabited H.
"Not much,n she answered.; they've
been there some months, and no one knows