TOO ENTERPRISING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1239, 16 September 1884, Page 2

TOO ENTERPRISING.

Many a man has gone to a newspaper office and begged to have his name §uppressod. The other night a smooth-faced man visited an Arkansas editor and said,: " I have a favor to SBk of you." "What is itt" " I want you to kesp my name oat of your paper. Don't mention the fact that John Qladdie knocked down the Rev. Mr Jugle this evening. He was beaten shamefully, it is true, but I don't want my name connected wuh it." The editor asked the young fellow to tell him all about it, and after getting all the facts, said : *' My dear sir, I am, as you know, publishing a newspaper. A piece of sensational news is very valuable to me, and I therefore cannot suppress this affair." " I warn you, sir, not to print it." " That's all right. I would be pleased to see you some, other time, for I am busy now." The young fellow left "reluctantly and the editor returned to the work of writing up the sensation. The reporter* were all" out, and tho editor revived the daya of "hustling" work by "spreading himself " on the article. Next morning the pnper contained a column and a-half of choice news, headed " An Inhuman Outrage. John Gladdle, the Ruffian, Knocks Down the Rev. Mr Jugle and Be;its him Unmercifully." The town was thrown into a state of excitement, and the editor congratulated himself on his success in beating the reporters. About two o'clock in the afternoon a man hurriedly entered the editor's office and said : "Have you lost all consciousness, sir 1 Have you no regard for the truth?" " What's the matter 1" asked the editor, looking up in surprise. " Why, sir, you state in this morning's issue of your Satan-branded she&t that I was knocked down and beaten. I was never knocked down in my life, sir, and if you don't publish a correction I will have you severely dealt with. "I don't understand this," replied the editor. "The news was brought to me last nifi[ht." "Makes no difference ; it is a lie I"and the minister struck the desk with his umbrella. " Correct that devilish report in your rcxt issue or I'll make you'regret your hick of manhood." The minister went out, but the door opened immediately and a furious-looking; man entered. "Be seated sir." " 1 have come here to demand satisfaction. You stated this morning that I knocked down the Rev. Mr Jugle and beat him. It's a villainous lie I don't know that I ever saw the man." The editor was stupified. " This is indeed mysterious." "No it isn't. It was a premeditated wrong on your part, and I am going to cut off both your ears. Last night, as I have just learned, a young fellow, Nat

Wethers, came here and told you not to pay that John Gladdie had beaten a minister, but you swore that you needed a sensation of that sort lo increase the circulation of your paper. I have been all day trying to keep out of the way of a mob." "My dear sir, a correction ahall be made." " A correction cannot be made. I want substantial revenge," and seiaing the editor, he cut off a piuce of his ear, and left in seeming satisfaction. Late in the evening, while the bandaged man of newa sat nursing himself, the door opened slowly and a head waa gradually thrust i into tlio room.

" Say, you can do me a favor. Do me the kindness to suppress——" And as the •ditor reached for his pistol, the head disappeared. The liberty of the press does not mean that a man must take liberties with this great American institution.—American Traveller.