Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-03-25
The Man Who Wanted His Piece
Printed Just Like he Wrote Il.

The two things most dreaded BY the
young writer are the eye Of the proof
reader and the stomach of the waste
basket. Typographical errors" is a
term broad enough to include every de-
feet in printing, from whatever source IL
may enunate. The young writer knows
all about the soul-harrowing blunders
Of the printer, but o, how much better
is the printer acquainted with the blum
dsrs of the young writer
Few writer's can be made to believe
that their manuscript is anything short
of perfection. That man is blind TO bis
own mistakes, is shown in nothing more
fsrcibly than in his writing. II manu-
scripts were set up just as they came
from the hand of the writer the proba-
bility is.that the ordinary reader would
DO forced to employ retired newspaper
man to decipher the mysteries contained
in his morning paper. II such course
were pursued it would likely result 10
many broken hearted writer's and some
broken headed editors. II the amateur
writer would only take the trouble to
make 4 copy Of bis manuscript and com
pare it with the printed copy, the death
rate among editors might be materially
diminished and the longevity Of writer's
increased
Squills was local writer Of some
note. That was his misfortune. | know
Of none more unfortunate, except, in
deed, the man subject to rattlesnake
bites. lie never possessed the happy
Cor unhappy faculty Of seeing himself
as others saw him, he would probably
never have seen his name in print. He
had so many disputes with the editors
in regard TO bis grammar and spelling
that they finally refused to print bis
pieces, and on one occasion charged him
twenty five cents square for printing an
essay on farming, which was said TO
have been mistaken for an advertisement
Of agricultural implements.
On certain occasion Squills had
heated controversy with rival politi-
clan through the columns Of the local
newspaper, 10 which several personal
letters appeared from both sides. One
of squills' was something like this:
"The gentleman accuses me Of offer
ing goose insult in intimating that be
lied am sure that nothing Of the
kind was intended. | have known the
gentleman for long ears and never knew
him TO be anything but man Of un-
doubted voracity. In our long inter-
course, if be has ever erred at all, it has
been on the side Of, trash. His general
character is the most egceptioaabte and
his family name, aDsaiesite."
This called forth reply from Squills'
opponent, ia which he declared that tho
insult had been repeated and intensified,
and that II be (Squills) did not instantly
retract through the columns Of the paper
in which the offensive article appeared
there would result tragedy.
OF course Squills laid the blame on
the shoulders Of the editor, declared that
it was a typographical error, and that
he would see that the wrong was rightsd.
SO be sat down and pennsd note To the
editor OF the Truth, stating that he had
"torriby mutilated letter Of his, and
that il was bis earnest desire that the
next time be received comm nication
from him be would print il just ms he
wrote it,"
Squills next contribution 10 Truth
was poem, entitled, ITO Mary"
whether "Highland" or lowland Mary
the writer is unable to say, but he does
know that the fair one whom Squills
wished to immortalize in verse was one
whom ho visited regularly once a day
except Sundays, when he made two visits.
II Was carrent also at the corner store
that Squills dropped 10 at the house Of
the beloved Mary very often about meal
time, and that. although his affection
was undoubtedly strong for the hospita-
bic Mary, it was also lively for the milk
and cherry pie with which she regaled
him. lie was known to have kissed
Mary's fayorite COW, Daisy, and he was
caught on several occasions 10 the acl
Of embracing a fine cherry tree that
stood 10 the back yard Such evidence,
though not conclusive that Squills affec'
tiobs we're divided, was yet quito strong
and am quite sure that the verdict il
the case by twelve chiupanzses seateC
in jury box would have been. guilty
as indicted"
The poem cannot DO given entire, 70
the reason that the season for Spring
poetry has arrived and the crate is al
ready overloaded with such sugar ooats'
doses, just ready TO receive the matcl
that will rive them their only light an,