HE WANTED TO WRITE FOR THE PAPER.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 163, 3 November 1883, Page 18

HE WANTED TO WRITE FOR THE PAPER.

" I want to write for your paper," said a solemnlooking man, as he paused" on the threshold of the editorial sanctum. "That's right," replied the editor without looking up from his work, for it was publication day, and there was a stern demand for copy that could not be denied. " When you write be particular and give your name and post office address distinctly." " I will," said the solemn man, stepping in and taking a chair. " And don't forget to enclose the money. Some folks write for the paper and forget to put in any i money. Then they complain because the paper j doesn't come." ' "Do you want money when a man writes for ■ your paper ?" asked the solemn man, as his face acquired* an additional elongation. "Of course. What d'ye we print a paper for? Fun ? Not much. I£ a man writes for the paper we suppose he wants it, and if he wants it he must pay for it." " You don't understand," said the solemn man ; " what I want is to write for your paper." " That's what you eaid before, and I told you how to do it" replied the editor testily, swinging round in hie chair. " Though I can't see why you can't subscribe right here and now, just as well's to wait until you get home and then write for it; Though, may be, you haven't got the necessary two dollars with you, I respect your independence. You don't want to subscribe for a paper you are not prepared to pay for. That's right." "But if I were to write for it " "If you write for it and enclose the money it will be sent promptly. Hfo fear of that. Subscribers will confer a favour on this office by reporting any carelessness or irregularity on the part of their postmaster in delivering the paper." "I can put a great deal into a letter," insinuated the solemn man. " Needn't put more that two dollars in," said the editor, " unless you get up a club. " Usual reduction to clubs." "I fear you don't comprehend me," eaid the man of solemn visage. " I want to write for your paper — write articles and correspondence, you know, for a remuneration." " Oh, that's it. Why didn't you say so before ? Thought you wanted to subscribe. Seemed a sort of curious, too, that you couldn't write for my paper to be sent without coming in and ielling me about it." " You will like my letters." " Can't cay as to that. The most interesting letters the editor get, as a rule, are those short, pithy ones which simply say : ' Enclosed please find supscription price to your valuable paper for one year-' That outweighs a dozen pages of 1 Reflections on the Dying year,' or ' Thoughts on Discovering the First June Bug.' A great many people want to write for the paper who have nothing half so interesting to say as that they find their subscription has about expired and here is the money for renewing it. That is neat and to the point, and no editor will throw the letter into the waste basket — without first taking out the money and duly crediting the subscriber on his account. Write for the paper, my friend, by all means, but don'fc forget the enclosure." Then the solemn man went away more thoughtful than before.