Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-04
A Fourth Of July Celebration.


ishers, were very much in need Of
nan. There was the new tax list,
lust awarded them by the pOpulist
county commissioners they had helped
% elect, and they did not know
hing 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 talent for display lines,
md could satisfy all the demands of
Watertown merchants for envelopes
md letter-heads, and, by following
oorne specimens, could "do" sale bills
10 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,
:hey saw Il stranger ON the street
Watertown always looked twice at
stranger 1t was just unhurried
enough to spare the time. This man
was of medium height, slender, with
he appearance of one who has -four
shed in cities, catching the style and
The garments that are unusual in the
country. His hands were slender,
md there was n something about the
light thumb and forefinger which pro-
claimed his craft at once.
Hes a printer" said Watson.
Hes seen the sign, ana Is coming
,ver," said Wilson.
The new man paused at the en-
trance 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 We're the
publishers?" asked Watson.
How did you know l was a print
srW 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 Il craftsman. He knew every
thing, from bending rule to casting
:Ollers. But he would not pull the
nand press, and he would not work
Saturday afternoon. They labored
with him on these points; but he
laughed, and said he was past it.
He was given to jesting; and one of
ais happiest thoughts was to shoot a
spray of water into the eye of an in
luisitlve 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
sue, and wondered If the money lend
.rs who should later purchase could
make good title with defective pub
ication. He taught Watson & VIII
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-
outes which, he assured them, the
foreign advertisers did not possess.
In n good many ways he enjoyed
himself. 1t was clear to everyone
hat he held the town and all Its be-
ongings in something like contempt;
out he was so amiable about it, so
,uave in his treatment of people, that
punishment was unthought of, and
lntipathy was disarmed.
When Watson Il Wilson began ad-
! gertising for the Fourth of July cele-
oration, 'the Printer" was ready to
move. He had worked three months
IN one town. and was hungry for the
,ity. They wanted him to stay. They
,at down one day In June, when "the
paper was Off" and tried to argue 1t.
He told them he must make con.
fession. There was young woman
IN the town, Observation-Disclosures he
| feared, of man whom he regaIde
rs his friend; and she had smiled
Upon him. She was very fair, and HI
'eared he might forget himself, proyt
lisloyal, and court n girl to his friend.
undoing. They applauded the chiv-
alric sentiment and went away-Wat
son assured 1t was Wilson's young
sons girl. The Fourth of July had
come. Wilson was master of cere
monies. Watson was leader of thu
band. People came in delegations
from the country. There was can
non Oh the bluff, and float on the
river. Wilson wanted something with
which to load that twenty-poundtr.
Cramming down wet paper was good
In Its way, but 1t didn't make noise
enough. The Printer suggested old
roller composition. There We're lolls
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 ut the south of the town, and must
march through to the north-a pa
geant to delight the natives, anl fill
oil rival towns with envy.
Ram down that roller composition"
said the Printer, "and they will hear