A BACKWOODS’ EDITOR.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 97, 4 July 1843, Page 3

A BACKWOODS’ EDITOR.

About twenty-five years ago, when a certain western state (which we shall not name)' was a territory, and with few inhabitants, a young lawyer from one of the old states emigrated thither, and settled in the town of K . He succeeded admirably in his profession, and rose rapidly in popular favour. He had been there nearly two years, when he induced a printer to print a weekly paper, of which he was editor and proprietor. Squire S. was much pleased for a while with editing a paper. He was a man of very low statute, but he used the editorial “ we” as frequently as if there were a dozen of him/ and each as big as Daniel Lambert. Strange to say, there were at that time men in office who were not a particle more honest than they should be ;' a thing which probably never happened before, and never will again. Squire S. felt all the patriotism of a son of 76, and poured out grape and canister against public abuses. This soon stirred a hornet’s nest about his ears; but as there was no other paper in the territory, there was no reply, and he enjoyed his warlike propensities in security. At length, he published an article more severe and cutting, against malfeasance in office, than any that had preceded it. In fact, though pointed at no one individual in particular, it was a “ scorcher.”

Some three of four days afterwards, he was sitting alone in his editorial office, which was about a quarter of a mile from the printing establishment ; his pen was busy with a paragraph, when his door opened without much ceremony, and in stalked a man about six feet iu his stockings. He asked, " Are you S., the proprietor of this paper ?” Thinking he had found a new patron, the little man, with one of his blandest smiles, answered in the affirmative. The stranger deliberately drew the last number of the paper from his pocket, and pointing to the article against rogues in office; told the affrighted editor that it was intended for “ him.” It Was in vain that S. protested he had never , heard of 'him before. The wrath of the visiter rose to fever heat, and from being so long restrained, boiled over with double fury 1 . He gave the editor his choice, either to publish a humble, a very humble recantation, or take a flogging on the spot. Either alternative was wormwood; but what could he do ? The enraged officeholder was twice his size, and at one blow would qualify him for an obituary notice. He agreed to retract; and as the visiter insisted upon writing the retractation himself, he sat down to his task. Squire S. made an excuse to walk to the printing office, with a 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 a man who inquired where Squire. S.’s office was, and if he was at home. Suspecting that he, too, was. on the same errand as the other visiter, he pointed to the office, and told him lie would find, the editor within, writing a most abusive article against office-holders. This was enough. . The eyes of the new comer flashing fire, he rushed into the office, and .assailed the stranger with the epithets, “ liar, scoundrel, cowardand 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 fight 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 then-legs arid backs broken beyond the skill of surgery to cure them. This seemed only to inspire the combatants with still greater fury. Blow followed blow with the rapidity of lightning. First one was kicking on the floor, then the other, each taking it in turn pretty equally. The ink on the floor found its way to their faces, till both of them cut the most ludicrous figure imaginable. The noise and uproar were tremendous. The neighbours ran to the door, and exclaimed with astonishment, that two negroes were fighting in Squire S.’s office. None dared separate them. At length, completely-exhausted, they ceased fighting. The circumstances of the case became known, and the next day, hardly able to sit on horseback, ■ their heads bound up, they starte d homeward, convinced that they had attained very little satisfaction from their attempt. — • Louisville A doer l iser .