Year: 1876

editor j


Years ago, when a certain Western
State (Which we shall not name) was
a territory, aud with few inhabitants,
a young lawyer from one Of the old
States emigrated thither, and settled
in the town of K, He succeed
ed admirably in his profession, and
rose rapidly in popular favor He
had been there nearly two years,
when he induced a printer to print
weekly paper, of which he was editor
and proprietor Squire S. was much
pleased for awhile with editing n
paper. He was man of very low
stature, but he used the editorial
"wE" as frequently as if there were n
dozen of him, and each as big rs
Daniel Lambert.


Strange TO say, there were at that
time men in office who were not a
particle more honest than they should
be; thing which probably never
happened before and never will again.
Squire S. felt all the patriotism of
son of '7G, and poured out grape and
canister against public abuses. This
soon stirred hornets nest about his
ears but as there was no other paper
in the territory, there was no reply
and he enjoyed his warlike propensi-
tics in security.


At length he published an article
more severe and cutting, against
malfesanco in office, than any that
had preceded it. In fact, though
pointed at no one individual in par~
ticular, it was "scorcher." D."


Some threo or four days afterwards
he was sitting alone in his editorial
office, which was about a quarter of
mile from tho printing establish
ment; his pen was busy with para
graph, when his door opened without
much ceremony, and in stalked man
about six feet in his stockings He
asked, care you s, the proprietor of
this paper?" Thinking he had found
new patron, the little man, with one
of his blandest smiles, answered in
the affirmative. Tho stranger delib-
eratoly drew the last number of the
paper from his pocket, and pointing
to the article against rogues in office,
told the aifrighted editor that it was
intended for chin" 1t was in vain
that S. protested he had never heard
of him before. The wrath of the
visitor rose to fever heat, and from
being so long restrained, boiled over
with double fury. He gave the editor
his choice, either to publish an huns
BILE, a yery humble recantation, or
take q .Hogging on the spot. Either
alternative was wOrmwoodi ) but what
could he dol The enraged offices
holder was twice his size, and at one
blow would qualify him for an obitu~
ary notice. He agreed to retract;
and as tho visitor insisted upon writS
ing the retraction himself, he sat
down to his task. Squire S. made an
excuse to walk to the printing Office,
with q promise that he would be
back in season to sign it as soon as it
was finished.


S. had hardly gone fifty rods, when
he encountered man who inquired
where Squire SIS Office was, and If
he was at home. Suspecting that he,
too, was on the same errand as the
other visitor, he pointed to the office,
and told him he would find the editor
within, writing most abusive article
against oflice-holders. This was
enough. The eyes Of the new conner
flashing fire, he rushed into the office,
and assailed the stranger with the
epithets, "liar, scoundrel, coward :;
and told him he would teach him how
to write. The gentleman, supposing
it was some bully sent there by the
editor, sprang to his feet and a night
ensued. The table was upset and
smashed into fire wood, the contents
of a large Jug of ink stood in puddles
on the floor, the chairs had their legs
and backs broken beyond the skill
of surgery to cure them. This seems
cd only to inspire the combatants
with still greater fury. Blow follow
ed blow with the rapidity OF light
ming. First one was kicking on the
floor, then the other each taking 1t
in turn pretty equally. The ink on
fbc floor found its way 10 their faces,
tll both of thom cut the most ludlc-
roug figure imaginable. The noise
and uproar were tremendous. The
noichbors ran to the door, and OK
claimed with nstonishmcnt, that two
negroes were fighting in Squire >. S
Office. None dared separate them.
AT length, completely exhausted
they ceased fighting. The circum-
stances Of tho case became known,
and the noxt day, hardly able to SIT
ON horseback, their heads bound up