Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-05-16
English As She Is Sometimes Wrote

II
imura Togo or his real or imaginary
compstriots, nor yet from the Hindu
babu with his limited knowledge Of the
language. Even native Of New Eng
land, though able to express himself
In conversation clearly, and generally in
accordance with the rules of grammar,
sometimes produces interesting results
when he gets pen in bis unsccustomed
fingers.
Tucked awsy in an obscure corner Of
the editorial desk are few letters which
from their quaintness Of expression have
In years past attracted attention and been
preserved. All these reproduced are OF
SO ancient date that their publication
now could hardly cause offence to any
one, even II the correct names were used
but needless to say, the correct names
are not used.
Once upon time, It appears, . friend
at Riley's wished to become subscriber,
as he wrote:
Reeleys January 13
Ceande me your Pappeere and Blige
II you will
James Cranston
Releys Ne
he took the paper for two years-and
paid for 1t promptly-and then discon-
tinued 1t by the following order-but
both his penmanship and orthography
indicate that it may have been Of some
slight educational value to him during
that time:
Atwood 6 Forbes
Az my prescription to your paper has
run ont plese stop the paper
Yours truly
James Cranston
It seems that on one occasion either
the Democrat or the post Office depart
ment failed to deliver paper which had
been paid for. It is 90 long ago, We
might as we'll plead nolo contendere, ss
we do not recall the circumstances, and
let It 20 at that. At any rate, that the
subscriber did not receive the paper is
evident from her letter, which breathes
righteous indignation:
Mr.. Atwood & Forbes
sent you $50 last week for years
Subscription of the Oxford Democrat
and know you got the money for got
last weeks paper and recpt but this
week ! haven't got any now II had not
wanted the paper I should not have
Subscribed for II your paper says $50 II
payed strictly In advance and have done
90 now WHARF is my paper now you send
me the paper or my money and at once
or shall see II you can do Business in
that way I don't feel like buying and
begging both
Truly
Mrs. Henry Mitchell
The appended communication is nota-
Bile for sample of spelling which 1t is
easy to believe is unique. Each reader
Is allowed one guess:
Dear sir I will send you the money
next week wich the best can do hoping
this will be caifect to you
remain truly
John Smith
Though the following 10 not exactly
what trained business man would die
tate, 1t was easily possible to ascertain
what 1t meant:
To the Edetter of the Democrat you
need not send the paper any longer As he
is dead and oblige me
Alice N. Whittier.
II those who can indulge freely In con.
versation do not always write In tho best
of style, It 10 not surprising that one who
has no opportunity to converse should
acquire quaintness of expression such
az is shown in tho following paragraph
of news contributed to the Democrat by
good friend:
Dear Sir-Democrate paper
On the 4th OF July Messrs John G and
Henry Jones invited some deaf mutes q
rode handsome team with 4 seats to
Chase's mill. Mr. George Oldham gave a
nice picnic to deaf mutes. for flrst picnic
iu the country Oxford. Tonight, 1t had
fine display fire works about IL
hours. They bad much splendid time
all day next day they left Oldham's home
& rode through Hebron and Buckfield
They thought that Hebron Is pretty
country for college build. & went home
afternoon.
Please copy this news to Democratic
paper. will be obliged to you II you
are Willing.
Yours truly, Paul Derry
Il