The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-01-21
VOL. 12. NO. 9.
ABRAHAM'S RESPONSIBLE
 ITY.

the exchanges" l found a newspaper printed at Nolin's Grove, Ky, and, in an editorial whose bold type had gathered dark expression of counte- nance, I found this announcement To-day we begin the publication of the Lancet, and assure our readers that it is on a firm foundation. Some twelve years ago, many of our citi- zens will doubtless remember, a paper called the Lancet was published at this place by gaunt and hungry fel- low named Read. Without any par ticular fitness for the assuming of such responsibilities, he threw himself into the great whirlpool of journalism. His only striking characteristics were his ignorance of politics and disposi- tion to suddenly appear when 'vidults' were turned loose. He boarded with old Uncle Nat West, and was punc- tual in attendance until Uncle Nat, cut of anxiety for Aunt Nancy and the children, told the editor that his solemn appetite could no longer be indorsed. It is not known why Read gave up his paper and left the neigh borhood, but after twelve years of un- interrupted sleep, and now that the Lancet has been placed upon a solid foundation, we call upon our patriotic citizens to rally to it's support"
 Against the slanderous part of the announcement 1 will set up no defense. That Iswas at times endowed with keen and cutting appetite may be true; that no one in the neighbor- borhood seemed to have enough to eat is certain. I left Nolin's grove because l was led to believe that departure would be better for my complexion. There are suggestions in the affairs of man, which, taken in time, lead on to safer community. My control of the Lancet was complete. was the editor, compositor and hand pressman and at one time I thought that my manifold connection with the paper might result in the ownership of the type in the office. 1 was everything but roller boy. That post of honor and precipitation was held by an old negro named Abraham. Bearing the suggestive name of Abraham, I thought, was the cause of his taking the roller to his bosom. He was a giant in stature; child in credulity. He had heard something of the great responsibility of the press, and, having charge of the roller, felt that, by this close connection, large share of the responsibility rested upon his shoul- ders.
 dis we're 'munity, ain't us?" he asked one day.
 "Yes, and must see that it is moulded in good shape"
 ''Oh, we'll do dat, sah do dat, fur CT fack. Wen I wuz down dar at de pos' -office dis mawnin, hearn some men maxim CT gre't mouf an 'miration bout suthin' dat wuz in de paper. Da didn' know I wuz standin' dar, reckon. Meks me mad, it do, fur folks ter come maxim CT mouf erbout dis we're paper in my-whut mus I say right yere?"
 "Presence," I suggested.
 "Yas, sah, dat's de word. In my presence, presence" he continued, roll ing the verbal bon-bon under his tongue.
 "I jes tell you, Pse got too much sponcerbility fur folks ter come talkin' round me dater way"
 One day the paper contained an unfortunate paragraph with reference to the Coats boys. was brave when Iwrote it, but when l saw it in print felt that had been rash. Oh, edi- torial judgment, what a misnomer; oh, editorial firmness, what a mush- room! I heard that the boys were coming to see me, and in my anxiety, parched corn lost its savor; and from bacon, with its streak O lean and afreak n, fat tho thrillinv tueenso Aad