The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-01-17
THE LOCAL PAPER,
It's Value 70 a community---serves
You From the Cradle to the
Grave.

an article in which are catalogued th
services of the local paper, couple
with injunctions as to how to help tn
editor thereof in return for the paper
help. He says:
"The paper mas done so things TO
you and is only anxious to do 50 more
!, "It told your friends when your par
; ents were married; it announced t.
the world when you we're born.
: cit recorded the great events OF you
childhood-when you were lost as
wandering baby, when you had mea
sles and scarlet fever, when you fell In
to the washtub and nearly drowned
when you fell from the cherry tree and
broke your collar bone, when yor
first started to school and when you
earned your first prize.
Later on it told how you had COM
pleted the studies of the district school
and how eloquently you recited your
graduating oration.
at told of your entering high school
CT academy. It told Of your contests
in baseball and tennis. It told OF your
departure for college or your first yen
ture in business.
"lt told of your various visits back
to the old home neighborhood, and il
always w,sked you we'll in your great
est undertakings.
"It limited modestly about the first
time you went a courting and gave
timely warning to 'her folks that the
| nslghbOrs knew that matters were
growing interesting over their way.
cit announced the time of your ex-
pected wedding, and it published no.
tlce of the marriags license and gave
you nice puff concerning the we'd
ding ceremony.
"It told of your extended honey
moon tour and of your settling down
to housekeeping.
"When you were sick, the homo pa
per week by week informed your more
distant neigh 5ors OF your Iapses and
improvements.
"It told about your lost COW and led
to her recovery. It told how your
horse had been stolen aud led to the
orrost nf tho thiof
"When you we're getting dull and
tired through the monotony of your la
Dor, the paper urged that the people |
get up celebration, and you were
named as one of suitable committee |
on arrangements. And when it was |
over it gave you just praise for the |
success of the undertaking.
"In numerous ways the paper has
helped to put your name before the
people, and you would never have
had your lucrative Office or your ho
orable recognition from the communi-
ty but for the kind aid of the local |
printer.
eff you are member of Sunday
school or society of any sort, that same
paper publishes your announcements
and the various proceedings of your
at tells the people much which you
would like to have known, but which
or nee ,essity prevents you
rom telling.
"If you and all your folks have been
prosperous and fortunate in yonr af-
airs, the papeer has boasted OF you al
he way. If you have had misfortune,
The paper asked for sympathy in your
oeha +.
"Thus the paper has rejoiced when
you rejoiced and wept when you wept.
II you are a good citizen, the paper
will always be your friend and will
back you In your enterprises and will
help to find you business friends.
"It tells you of current prices and
you from being cheated and
in a hundred ways.
Finally, when you die, the paper
will publish your obituary and will
:ecits the story of your good deeds.
Gall these things tbs local editor
will cause his paper to do but no one
Else in the world will do them or can
10 them for you, even for love or mon I
". The city paper will tell you OF the !
world, but it won't tell the world about
'cu or yours. The outside paper is
tranger to your little world and is not
It all interested In its improvement. 8
Yet your local paper does all this free &
# cost to you if you are willing to
eceive it in that way. However, for
'our sake, we hope you are too gener-
'us to accept 80 many unrequited
ayors and that you are willing to reclp-
ocate the same.
"HeIp the editor. Be his friend /,
md he will prove bis friendship to .
'ou.