The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-03-03

n,lrmurs of suit" aud "eiectment"
lloated upon the stairway.
These warlike echoes had scarcely
lied away when Deacon Smith entered
the sanctum. He presented strong
contrast to the previous visitor clean
shaven. fine featured and bright eyed.
he seemed as little like an old man as
possible.
"Howdy? Aud how is business?"
said he, cheerily, as he proceeded to
make himself comfortable in Demp-
sters pet chair, while his shrewd,
twinkling eyes seemed almost to COM
pei an answer to his question. I've
got little secret to tell ye," continued
the handsome old man, leisurely un-
folding copy of the Weekly Clarion,
and pointing to the offending story. Il
writ this story myself, though L put my
nephews name to it, for reasons of my
own. You see knew Pettigrew we'll
when We were boys together, and Of
late owe him grudge, so 1 was glad
to have the opportunity of showing him
up in print. There are several who
know him of old as well as I do, and
they will not be sorry to tell the story
over again when they see it in your
paper But hope he won't do ye no
harm in his anger; he's a tough Gus.
toner. Whatl Stopped his paper?
Bless ye, he can't live withoutit; greatest
man for news I ever saw. Well, we'll,
when he comes around to borrow of his
neighbors we won't lend it to him.
Reckon we'll fix him that way"
After few NOR, consolatory remarks
the old gentleman left. and Dempster
resigned himself to solitary reflection.
Long into the night did he sit, study
ing intently the p. oblem of how to get
back the offended subscriber, and also
drop the Amateur Column, which
latter feat ought clearly to be accom-
plished without undue haste, as that
would be practically public confession
of defeat. Although human nature
loves variety and finds contrast agree-
able. success seldom gives an appetite
for failure, and Demrster loved defeat
no better than those who were moro
familiar with it. Apparently his
efforts We're crowned with success, for
when he left the sanctum his face wore
o serene smile.
Next Saturdays Weekly Clarion con-
tanned the following startling announce
ment:
Hereafter, all persons wishing to
contribute to the columns OF the Weekly
Clarion can do so ON the payment OF
the regular contributors rates. Po-
litical letters, two cents per line.
Essays and sketches, six cents per line.
Spring poetry, ten cents per line.
Other poetry, three cents per line.
Continued stories, twenty five cents
per chapter. Hints on how to run a
newspaper, fifteen cents per line.
Terms strictly cash in advance.
Dempster fully expected to be del
uged with articles from "Veritas, u
"Old Resident" and others of that
tribe, but to his surprise their griev-
ances were not aired at so much per
line. Few people, it seemed, cared to
grumble at their own expense. But ii
these interesting individuals did not re-
spond to the call, there was no lack OF
would-be Journalists who wished to give
their ideas to the world. Young men
and women at the academy kept him
we'll supplied with tolerable poetry,
while some of the old male gossips of
the town developed talent as story
tellers, managing to secure the in
terest and fatter the pride of Sleepy
Eye.
Dempster judiciously selected the
best of the articles offered, and care.
fully avoided those likely to prove
breeders of strife, like the first two ill.
fated contributions. His Amateur Col.
umn proved quite readable, and kept
people wondering what would come
next, thus increasing the sale of his
paper.
Dempster still lives and prospers,
and poses as man who has 'snatched
victory from the jaws of defeat. -
Waverly Magazine.