Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-09-09
Couldn't seuIt,

A story went the rounds OF the
newspapers a few days ago, says the
the lola (Kan.) Register, to the effect
that George Clark, ex secretary of
state, had bought from E. P. Greer
the Winfield (Kan.) Courier. A day
later there followed a dispatch that
the deal was off. And thereby hans
an interesting and significant tale of
a man and a newspaper.
Some weeks ago, through a friend
at Winfield, Mr.. Clark MADE Mr.. Greer
an offer for the Courier. After due
consideration the offer was accepted
and Mr.. Clark went to Winfield to
olose the deal. Arriving there, Mr..
Greer met him in the office of a mu-
tual friend and stated to him his IN
derstanding of the offer. Upon being
answered that his understanding was
correct, he replied: "The paper is
yours, " and arrangements we're then
made for another meeting at 10 O'Clock
the next day to draw up the necess-
airy papers.
The three men met at the time
agreed upon next day, but they did
not draw up the apers. For the first
words of Mr.. Greer were: George,
it's all off. l can't do it.n And then
he told why. He had thought at first
be cOuli sell the Courier as easily as
any other property that he owned.
He had large interests elsewhere that
took most Of his time, and be could
give but little personal attention to
bis paper, 80 be had concluded to
sell 1t.
The offer Mr.. Clark made was all
be thought it was worth. But when
the papers were all ready to sign and
he began to realize that be was on the
verge of actually turning the Courier
ever to some one else be didn't feel
comfortable. And so be talked 1t
over with his wife.
They recalled the way In which he
had started as a "deviln In the Office,
years ago, aud learned bis trade, and
the slow steps by which he had been
able TO make and save enough money
to buy the paper;and they remember
ed the pride of his father and mother
now asleep on the hiilside-when he
became the editor Of the Courier, and
how ont of bis earnings they had
built their home; and-"and the short
Of 1t is" said Mr.. Greer, with tears
filing his eyes, II have found out
there are some things q man owns
that he cannot SELL"
All OF which may sound sto the
Greeks foOlishness." But a man who
has once wrapped his heartst ringl
around a newspaper win understand
It perfectly easy. 10 Is n OF the
peculiarities OF the newspaper bust
ness that a man who is In It for the
love OF it comes to look upon the pa
per which he owns almost as If 1t were
q living personality, with perceptions
and sensibilities and emotions of ii
own. Indeed, the public share in thii
feeling to a certain degree, becausI
they commend and criticise and dis.
cuss-and cuss-a newspaper by III
name, often without any allusion q
all to its editor, as IL It had a consciou
identity qnite apart from that OF tn
man who owns or controls Il. But Z
himself, this feeling is many fol-
intensified. And the reason is no
hard to comprehend.
When 8 man puts the very best tina
there Is Of his heart and mind into
newspaper for twenty years, when b
has given to it all the energies OF hi
natures, when be has coddled t ai0n
through periods Of depression as
father might nurse g child IN its lines
when hehas defended itagainst attack
and has felt ct the same time Il va
defending him-what wonder Is Il tbs
be should come to feel after q Will
that it is bone Of bis bone and desl
Of bis flesh and should find Il nearl
&c hard tosell IS would be one Of b
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