The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-02-18
COURTESY WAS LACKING.
A Well-meaning Friend Erings in Valu-
able News and Goes Away Sad.

He opened the door of the editorial
room in hesitating sort of a way and
stood gazing about him in uncertainty.
He was dressed in garments redolent
of hay, and his boots were badly spat-
tered with yellow mud. After couple
of minutes of embarrassed hesitation,
during which nobody seemed to take
any notice of him, he inquired: els
is-this the place where you take the
news?"
He was informed that it was.
WELL" he said. I've got little
thing I wanter tell you. It's about
piece of news that happened the day
yerselves, fer / promise 1 won't give
it to no other paper. was there my
self, an seen it all. You bet the peo-
pie up to hum are goin' to stare when
they see it in print. They don't know
nothin' about it. an"
He approached the reporters desk.
''I've got blame nice"
"Well," interrupted the busy report
er, .'make it BRIEF
"Y' see," began the countryman, 81
came inter town with Mrs. jackson,
the other mornin'. She come in ter
sell some apples. I work fer her. You
know Mrs. Jackson. don't yer? She
lives in the third house to the right,
across the Wesel bridge. It's big
white house. with farm around it.
I work on the farm, am"
We'll, what happened when you
came into town with her?" asked the
reporter.
''Y' see, she was gittin' out of the
wagon, an the horse gave a sudden
start. an she fell"
Yes"
'An' she could hardly stump around
when she got up. an when she went
home her ankle swelled up. an she had
to lie in bed all day yesterday. She
brought it down pretty we'll with
arnica, an she's up an she's around to-
day; but she looks pretty bad, an she
won't be herself agin for some time"
'.All right. Thank you" and the re-
porter turned to his work.
The countryman did not move.
''Will y put it in?'
sYes"
Silence for minute.
Il kin give y lots more news. I
come inter town three times a week,
an kin tell y lots of things that hap
pen up our way. Old ST jenkins fell
off load of hay the other day, an got
big bump on the back of his head.
Sis church member, but he swore
awful that time. I guess y'd better
not put that in, though. ST might
know who tole yer, an then he be inter
my WOOL"
Silence. Then
'Well?," from the countryman.
ILL Nt4A
reporter.
'.Ain't that news wuth somethingP
l orter get the price of a square meal,
anyhow"
Silence again.
Il kin bring yer lots of news. I've
got something else I could tell yer
now. but don't know as I'd better,
cause it amt quite time yet, an 1 don't
want ter give it away. But kin let
you know in a few days. By gosh!
it'll make lively time up our way
when that there gifts in print"
THE business Office is down stairs"
said the reporter. 1--WE don't pay for
anything here. Take this note to the
clerk at the desk down stairs" And
he handed the countryman a note
written in shorthand, which the clerk
down stairs couldn't understand.
The man then left the reporter and
went downstairs to the busy clerk.
That functionary had hard time get
ting rid of him, but finally convinced
him that the only proper course would
be to make out a formal bill for his
services and leave it to be acted upon by
the Finance Committee of the Board Of 1.
Directors, who would meet some time
the following spring. This rather dis
couraged the countryman and he went
away.-N. Y. Tribune.