The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-08
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Watson & Wilson. printers and pub
fishers, were very much in need Of q
man. There was the new tax list,
just awarded them by the populist
county commissioners they had helped
to elect, and they did not know
thing about the Misunderstanding
problem of rule and figure work.
They had learned the trade" like
many another man in the country
and could set straight composition
with anybody. Watson, indeed, had
developed a talent for display lines,
and could satisfy all the demands Of
Watertown merchants for envelopes
and ter-heads, and, by following
the general form Of ancient wall
borne specimens, could do" sale bills
to your hearts delight.
But who should save them from the
pitfall of rules and figures?
As they stood at the bottom Of the
stairway thinking Of these things,
they saw a stranger on the street.
Watertown always looked twice at a
stranger. 1t was just unhurried
enough to spare the time. This man
was of medium height, slender, with
The appearance of one who has four
shed In cities, catching the style and
the garments that are unusual In the
hon oIr
and there was a something about the
light thumb and foretinger which pro-
claimed his craft at once.
Hes a printer" said Watson.
Hes seen the sign, ami is coming
tver," said Wilson. N12r0
The new man paused at the en-
france way, read the cardboard office
sign on the stairway, looked at the
two men critically, and inquired:
ANY chance for work?'
"How did you know we were the
publishersY asked Watson.
How did you know l was a print
err" asked the man.
In the afternoon he took charge Of
the delinquent list and In half an
aour they knew they were secure. He
was q craftsman. He knew every
thing, from bending rule to casting
.ollers. But he would not pull the
hand press, and he would not work
Saturday afternoon. They labored
with him on these points; but he
aughed, and said he was past 1t.
He was given to testing; and one Of
dis happiest thoughts was to shoot
spray of water into the eye of an in
auisitive citizen who wanted to see
purple stars in galley of dead type,
wetted for distribution. He changed
the figures in the advertisement Of
ands delinquent, after the first is
tue, and wondered If the money lend
srs who should later purchase could
make good title with defective pub
.ication. He taught Watson & Will
son how to double their income from
foreign advertisers by taking twice as
much business as the paper could
carry, and stop the press In time to
lift out one line, and set In the other.
It troubled their consciences-attri-
butes which, he assured them, the
foreign advertisers did not possess.
In a good many ways he enjoyed
bimsel, 1t was clear to everyone
that lie held the town and all its be-
ongings in something like contempt;
but he was so amiable about 1t, SO
,uave in his treatment Of people, that
punishment was unthought of, and
tntipathy was disarmed.
When Watson & Wilson began ad-
sertising for the Fourth Of July cele-
bration, "the Printer" was ready to
move. He had worked three months
q one town, and was hungry for the
:ity. They wanted him to stay. They
sat down one day In June, when "the
paper was off," and tried to argue IL.
lie told them he must make con-
.ession. There was young woman
n the town, sweetheart-aftian he
feared of man whom no regarded
Is his friend; and she had smiled,
,pon him. She was very fair, and be
.eared he might forget himself, prove
iisloyal, and court girl to his friends
undolng. They applauded the chiv.
alric sentiment and went away-Wat-
son assured 1t was Wilson's young
lady, Wilson convinced 1t was Wat.
sons girl. The Fourth of July had
come. Wilson was master of cere.
monies. Watson was leader Of the
band. People came in delegations
from the country. There was can.
non on the blum, and float on the
river. Wilson wanted something with
which to load that twenty FOUNDER.
Cramming down wet paper was good
In Its way, but 1t didn't make noise
enough. The Printer suggested old
roller composition. There were loads
of 1t in the big box on the landing.
1t was the one indestructible thing
on earth. 1t alone could support the
theory of matters persistent contin.
uance.
The country delegations were form.
ed at the south Of the town, and must
march through to the north--a pa
geant to delight the natives, and fill
all rival towns with envy.
Ram DOM that roller composition"
said the Printer, land they will hear
your old cannon In fourteen counties
every time she speaks"
Wilson did at directed. Watson
came by with the band. Wilson