Year: 1868




Below will be found letter written, some two
years ago, to the Richmond Examiner, by re
porter named Piddle. 1t is believed that Piddlt
was really in the condition described in his letter
which will be found sufficiently diverting. In re
sponse to many inquiries, we reproduce this "very
tight paper" copy of which we were fortunate
enough to secure during our recent visit to the city
so drunkenly depicted.


We knew Piddle. He was, in some respects, tht
most remarkable man on the brilliant staff Of the
Examiner He may not have had the towering
genius of Hanna, the pure Attic wit of Pollard, o.
the fruity humor of Elam, but he certainly had {
capacity for drinking greater than all three com
bined. Poor fellow He has never been hearc
from since this, his Big Lick lin more senses thar
one) effort.


We give, first the Editors introduction to the
letter, and then the letter itself:


sour readers can hardly have forgotten the con
fused notes of the reporter of the Eaan,iner news
paper who was sent to Lynchburg few days be-
fore Christmas. The tenor of those notes was
such as to prepare us for hiatus in his correspon
dence but we confess we were not prepared to heal
the melancholy effects of the excessive hospitality
which he received at the hands of the good people
of the Hill City. From the evidence before US, il
appears that he remained in Lynchburg about ter
days, during which time he neglected to draw 8
single sober breath. But he did draw on US fol
funds, which, nanticipation his correspondence
we Immediately forwarded. The result, VIC fear
was fatal He bought two kegs of lager beer from
Shaner, and shipped himself and freight for Bris
tol. Proceeding as far as Big Lick, he got off
opened his kegs of beer, and, on the strength O
our money, ordered ball, which was kept up fol
three days, after which time he disappeared, and
has never been heard from since. The landlord oi
the hotel at Big Lick sends bill against the Eu
ansiner for $56OS, and the following letter which
he says was found, together With broken gin bot
tie and the stump of lead pencil, in the bed last
occupied by the unhappy reporter. We have for
warded the amount of the bill by Adams EXPIRES.
to the landlord, but we take occasion here to say
that we shall in future be responsible for no NOR
bills contracted in this manner. The name Of tht
deceased was Frederick A. Piddle He was ma
tive of Waterford, but lived for many years in thi
State as a jobber in dry goods. Becoming addict
ed to drink, he took naturally to newspaper life
and was in the employ of the Examiner from the
time of its re-establishment in December last. dc
was about the medium height, his nostrils were o.
UNEQUAL size, and he wore suit Of darkish clothes
Should he be alive, we will be thankful for any in
formation which may lead to his arrest for we art
determined to punish the swindler.


Here is his letter, as nearly as we have beer ablt
to make it out, for it is written in an atrociously
| intoxicated hand:


LYNCHBURG,
Dec or Jan. the something


There are-Lynchburg is -confound this pencil
how it wabbles


Lynchburg is one of the-no it amt The trav
eller, coming to this -arrives-of course he or
rives-arrives bottle in hand, bottle empty, JUS
before-no, just after he had taken the last drop
Bad start, id bad. Make Pollard madas h
Mustn't swear-mad as wet hen-no, anybody
can say hen-wet watering pot, or whangdoodle.


Try again.


The reporter of the Examiner newspaper (al
ways say Erams. ewspaper-John NJ. Daniel al
WAYS said it-and it tiekles Pollard, sounds big)