Year: 1875

The AMATEUR ENGRAVER


Or, the Heading TO an Advertisement.


A few years since the writer of the fol-
lowing sketch was one of the editors and
proprietors of daily and weekly news
paper, published in one of the large
towns in western New York. Among
the numerous patrons of the paper was q
man whom I shall describe as Levi
Lapp, carpenter by trade, and a very
clever man i'll his way, but as the sequel
shows, entirely unacquainted with the
art which claims as its shining lights the
names Of Gutenberg and Faust.


Having considerable ingenuity as well
as business qualities, Mr.. Lapp had re-
Gently purchased the right to manufac-
ture patent pump, which he was very
desirous of Introducing to the public
through the columns of our paper. In
other words, he wanted to advertise it,
and, i'll the course of conversation about
the price and other details, mentioned to
me that he would like a cut of his new
pump inserted as heading to his adver-
tiscment. I replied, every well," and
Immediately asked, "Have you the cut
here ?" He replied, "No, but I have
got one Mt my house, and will bring it
in"


He said to me: CHOW you can get in
my cut, and do 80 at once, for wish to
see it in print in your paper"


Where is your cut 2" asked.


&C On the BILL" he replied, with all the
seriousness of post-captain.


then told him that it would requirea
block of wood cut by an engraver in the
shape and likeness of pump that this
was called cut or engraving, and that
it would have to be used in the press in
connection with the types, to make ND
such an advertisement as he desired. r
told him who could do the Job, and the
probable expense-somefi fifteen or twenty
dollars.


A bright idea appeared to influence
Mr.. Lapp, and he informed me that he
thought he could do the job himself, and
save Just so much outlay. told him if
he could it would suit me equally as
well; but thought he would find it
trifie difficult.


We separated. and saw no more of
Levi Lapp for several weeks. In fact,
had forgotten all about the matter. One
morning, bright and early, as I was busy
ut the desk in came Mr.. Lapp in great
bluster and hurry. He quickly explain
ed himself, and said he had his cut fin
ished, and had brought it rs heading
to his advertisement.


l said-"Very well where is it p
He answered." Down STAIRS


Without giving the matter moments
thought, I said to him: ",Bring it up"
And he instantly left the room for that
purpose.


His back was hardly turned, how
ever, before the thought struck me that
he had rather huge engraving for pa
per of limited size like ours. And call
ing to the foreman to see if was not
correct in my opinion, turned again to
the desk.


The foreman was back in an instant,
and was soon aware that Levi Lapp's
bright idea had grown into giant proper
tions, and that the engraving or cut he
had brought for our press was no less
than verltable wood pump of full size,
even to the pump-log, chain, crank and
waters spout.


Lapp was proceeding to bring his
extended cut into our establishments.
but ut that very moment was deferred
from executing his plan by the shouts
and laughter of the entire printing Office
force, including the devil himself, who
stood Mt the window making merry at
his expense.


The true condition of affairs slowly
dawned upon Mr.. Lapp's vision end
when informed that ne had made much
larger " "cut than the present condition
of the art preservative would justify, he
hurriedly replaced his engraving" on
the wagon that brought it to our door,
and drove off, evidently making great
err impression in this way than the pump
could, by any possibility, have made in
our limited establishment.