Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-01-27
AMONG THE PRINTERS.
Some Interesting Incidents of Life in the
COMPOSING Room.

Composing Room.
Just as much of the humorous char
acter as has ever been gathered to-
gether and published by "funny-men"
graduates from composing-rooms has
been kept from the columns of news
papers, because after the laugh the
jokes created they have been almost
forgotten. But few Of the decidedly
rich things that have been .'got OFF, in
composing-rooms by the men who have
regulations in their sphere as workmen
are well worth recording.
While a well-known foreman of the
New York Post composing-room WELD
ed authority there some twenty years
ago-he now having post at a for
eign station under the Governm ent-he
was accredited with running the office
with IL shorter allowance of type than
any other man as foreman would have
thought possible, or would have had
the temerity to do. He was constantly
besieged for "sorts," and his policy
was the occasion of much vituperation
piled upon his head-when he was not
d
Office was seen, toward the end of COM
position hours, crawling about the floor
and picking up type. He was asked by
the joker of the room:
"What are you doing. Jackp"
I'm trying to get type enough to
finish this take that's what I'm do
ing" said he. in rather disguised
| tone.
"Well. what sorts do you wantP
What are you short OFF"
Il want some his"
"Go over there under No. 1913 frame.
He's an Englishman. He drops them. "
was the comforting reply.
This same foreman was somewhat
particular as to the care displayed in
setting type, and was very much
perplexed at any time if bad divis-
ion was made, an offense in any of
flee rs matter of fact. A comp
new to the Office had on his first day S
work divided the word tongue, doing
it thus-ton-gue. The proof on which
it occurred came under the "old
mans" eye, and as the 'slug" gave
the perpetrator away. he went for him
thus:
What have you got in your mouthp'
thinking to gain point on the
comp" by his answering and pro-
nouncng the offending word correctly.
"Heh?"
What have you in your mouth,
sirP"
"Terbacky. sor," was the paralyzing
answer, and the foreman, although
"knocked out" retired to corner to
himself to indulge in the general laugh
that ensued.
A well-known foreman of large
New York newspaper composing-roon
although austere inside the Office
and favoring nobody, and decidedly
good fellow outside-was very fond OF
a quiet joke, which usually partook Of
"a rather practical nature. Some years
ago a chapel meeting was held on
the question of having too many com
positors on the paper. and committee
Of six Mas appointed to wait upon the
foreman and try to get him to consent
to reduce the force. A gentleman who
is still known among New York print
ers was chosen chairman of the com
mittee and spokesman, and he and hi
associates waited upon the "old man
and stated the case, saying that if thu
force were reduced those remaining
could make decent living, when thu
following colloquy took place:
"How many too many men do yor
think are on the paperp'
1--WE have considered the matter an,
think six is about the number
The foreman glanced with twinkle
in his eye from one end of the commit
tee line to the other, and said with
wave of the hand across: well, yol
six can go;' and they were discharged
~ T. Star.
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