The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1894-09-13
AN EDITORIAL CRISIS,
TRIUMPHANT EVOLUTION OF
THE SPIKETOWN "BLIZZARD."
Mortimer Clueston Achieves Imm ortality
IN tho Annals OF Weekly journalism
Tho Editor in Thousht-Inception o:
the Cash Basis Plan.
A 81 appy Result.

A Eappy Result.
Mortimer ClugSton, editor and
proprietor of the Spiketown Blizzard,
has reached a crisis in his affairs.
He sat in his editorial chair with
his arms folded, his lips tightly com.
pressed, and his feet on the editoria!
table. as was his won't when wrestling
with some intricate problem of life.
In looking over his accounts he had
made the discovery that the Spike
town Blizzard was not paying eX'
penseS.
1t was always in his power to dis
cover the simple process Of thrustIng
his hand into his trousers pocket
and feeling around that he hadn't
any money, yet there was always out
standing accounts on subscription,
job-work. and advertising that were
more than sufficient, as he had fan.
cied, to make him square with the
world.
But here he was, face to face with
the tremendous fact that al the good
accounts taken together would not
pay his debts, and here was another
of those dreadful letters stating that
shipment Of goods had been made
to him, c. O. D.
TO meet this he had an advertising
due bill signed by the great patent
medicine house Of YellOwdocH & Co.,
good Tor fifteen dollars worth Of Sar-
saparilla and porous plasters +. O. b.
at the factory in Massachusetts,.
An order on a Cincinnati establish.
ment for fifty pounds Of printers
ink
And 35 cents in cash.
Long he pOndered upon the situa-
tion. The gray matter Of Editor
Clugston's brain was working as 1t
had never worked before. But his
skull stood the pressure.
"I'll do It," he said at last. "pll
adopt the cash system"
He took his feet down from the ia
bic, went out Of his Office, and pro-
ceeded to the village bank, where he
engaged the President Of that insti-
tuition, Mr. Wildcat, in earnest con-
yersation for half an hour without
any visible result.
Then he came back to his Office,
took off his coat, went to the case,
and with his own hands he put in
type the following:
ANNOUNCEMENT.
For the purpose Of placing the Spiketown
Blizzard on the solid foundation Of perma-
nence and prosperity and giving 1t a
financial character commensurate with the
commanding influence it exerts in the
world of journalism. the editor has deter
mined after mature deliberation to place
this paper on CASH basis.
The subscription price Of the Blizzard
hereafter will be Sl.25. CASH IN ADVANCE.
No names will be placed on the books un-
less the money accompanies the order,
When the time Of any subscriber has ey-
pired his paper will be stopped unless an
order for renewal is received, accompanied
by the cash.
This is the last number that will be sent
to subscribers who are in arrears.
At the end Of one month from this date all
accounts against delinquent subscribers
will be placed in the hands Of an officer fer
collection. with Instructions to push them
TO THE BITTER END.
The free list is entirely suspended. This
is the last copy that will be sent to dead
heads.
The Spiketown Blizzard has adopted the
cash system.
And don't you forget it.
The Blizzard has come TO stay.
Set in large type and 'leaded" with
wooden 'reglet" this announcement
filled a column.
He mailed the entire edition to his
subscribers, locked the Office, and
went home.
The next morning there were found
tackled up in the postofice, barber
shop, and on several prominent cor
ners written notices calling for pub
lie meeting at the Town Fall that
evening ito protest against the in
sulting and unprecedented editorial
in the Blizzard of this week and to
take some action beftting the oc-
casion as representatives Of high
spirited and self-respecting COM
munity."
1t was signed 'Many Citizens"
When the sun had gone down, and
the stars had come out, and the busi-
ness houses on the public square were
illuminated with all the glory If kero-
sene lamps and polished tin refectorS,
Editor Clugston put his subscription
book under his arm and sailed forth
to participate in the deliberations at
the Town Hall.
The room was full and rceking with
the odor of cigars, pipes, and perSpir-
ing humanity.
The chair was occupied by the Rev.
Mr.. alright. pastor Of one Of the
churches. The secretary was Mr..
Howmuch, the leading merchant,
dealer in dry goods and groceries,
clothing, hats and caps, boots and
shoes.
The resolution before the house, ="
the chairman was saying, lis to the
effect that the citizens Of Spiketown
demand an explanation from the edi'
tor Of the Blizzard for the extraordi-
nary announcement that appeared in
his paper this morning. Are you
ready for the question:"
Cries of "Question" "Question!"
The resolution passed unanimously.
The banker: Mr., Wildcat, then
arose.
"If MI. Clugston is in the house"
he said, "perhaps this will be as good
a time as any for MIN TO make tne
explanation"
Editor Clugston stalked slowly and
solemnly forward to the PLATFORM
~rnfo,,1S ci1opra ho