Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-09-28
TWO EDITORS.

They had both been in the trade long
enough to know the tricks. Through one
Of those frequent and sudden yet not un
expected journalistic changes they stepped
down and out together, Joining hands in
adversely. Those journalistic gems may
as we'll be designated by name. The ex-
scissors editor Of The Advocate was Law
renee Dubbins, called "Dubby" for con-
venience He who handled the religious
stuff-and speak not slightingly, using
Snly the trade name-was Daniel CODY,
tamiliarly treated as Dan.
l have never learned how they got to
Topeka, but thither they went There
they found themselves, not with heavy
hearts, nor yet with heavy purses, but
with the conviction that the superb end
shaper, destiny, had something in store
for them. And they were not proud, hav-
ing mutually agreed that, nothing in the
journalistic line Undertaking, they or
either of them would accept the presidency
of a bank, the general management of a
railroad, IA position on the police force or
miscellaneous job in mining camp, as
occasion offered. Perhaps they were in u
sense independent. Between them they
had $500, and what newspaper man in
harness would not laugh to scorn tho cares
of the world in possession of such sum?
As they created no sensation in tile Kan
sas capital they were about spending
money to move on when they encountered
a man inspired, who told them of town
200 miles due west where u newspaper
could BIO bought at ruinous rates Dan
and Dubby took counsel together-went
saw and bought.
They settled down to life in Roarersville
with $50 cash, no credit and q newspaper
very much run to seed. But it had posi-
bilities. 1t was four page affair and
came out weekly If the editor found enough
news to fill it up; if not, then as soon as
something happened of Importance to war
rant the filling and closing of the forms.
l would not have it inferred that because
the Roarersville Banner was a post NOR
TEN sheet it reflected the town. Far from
that. Roarersville was really very wide
awake little place. Its population was
rated at about 1000, and in politics it was
all the one way for which the Populist
Senator PETER humbly thanked his Maker
Whit the town needed was u live newspa-
per, and it got one shortly.
The two editors were newspaper men,
not journalists, and The Banner was a
success from the start. Dan took hold of
the editorial end. Dubbins assumed the
cares of the business management, and to-
gether they acted as devil, composition
force and pressmen. They kicked off the
edition regularly every week too. The
paper was never held back now for lack OF
matter. If there wasn't enough news to
fill it up, the two partners made It. Poe
hadn't a finer Imagination for curdling
crimes than Dan. Once when news was
particularly scarce, with the forms to be
closed at midnight, the business manager
went out after dark, waylaid and assaulted
the tax collector, against whom he had a
grudge, anyhow, and the next morning
The Banner had n magnificent story, bris-
Ting with facts, on the mysterious, UNI
provoked and cowardly assault upon lone
Of our best citizens" Dan wrote lead
ing editorial, double loaded, on the affair,
Offering reward of $25 for the arrest and
conviction 0 the miscreant, but he never
was caught. This and other details of
metropolitan journalism gave The Banner
tone.
"Oh, this is soft!' unused the latter as
the partners sat in the sanctum reading
proof "Dubby, here is my life work. 1
shall consecrate myself to the interests Of
this growing town and live and die among
it's peaceful people, but our progress isn't
rapid enough to suit me. Dubby, large
scheme has entered my think tank.
''If it's another assault, you must take
your turn at it," responded Dubbins.
"Ha, hal THAT was rather largely
proportional idea Dubby, if occasion
had arisen for the payment of that reward
which we, in the kindness of our hearts,
offorad fnr arraSt and con victiop of tho
assailant there'd have been lynching in
this town and another big story for The
Banner. I'm half sorry sometimes; but,
as 1 said, I've been thinking Ever think
any more, Dubby?"
Occasionally, when l haven't anything
else on my mind"
"Dubby, did you ever make speech?"
Not in my sober senses.
well, do you think you could make \
sober speech?"
II might if had several drinks"
Hal hal Dubby, that's good. But
listen I want you to make speech. All
great editors make speeches, you know
You must have observed that there is a
movement afoot in this growing settle
ment to pave our highways, and that SEN
timent seems to be divided upon the wis
dom of such course"
"Some CLANS oppose 1t. y
"That's it. Dubby, how would you like
to be CLAMP"
"I-a--what the thunder do you mean?"
Listen" and he slipped to the door to
see If the office cat was asleep and the 9th
er employees out of hearing. How would
you like to take the lead in the opposition,
make speech against paving the streets
and destroying our sweet rural simplicity,
denounce it and call for general protests"
!. ''Do you want to ruin this paper?" cried
Dubbins in alarm.
II want to improve it.
''But if as one of the r;roprietors pro-
test
But" said Dan, ''you won't be one Of
the proprietors."
"WhatP'
THAT'S it, You will leave the sheet.