A SYMPATHISING COEEESPONDENT.
(To the Editor)
Sic, — I have a feelin' heart, dear Mr. Editor ; and though I'm not book learnt, like somo of your correspondents, I can't help just expressin' my feelins in a few lines, which may be you'll put into your next paper. For a long time I have studied the columns of your newspaper, and I used to read letters about this and that, and signed by all kinds of queer names, and I just used to think to myself that editor man must have great influence in "the place that everybody tells their grievances to him. I suppose he sets them all to rights, like superintendents, governors, mayors, and the Queen does ; and I used to be as curious to see Mister Editor as I would be to see any of these great folks. But few of them come my way, and may be it's better as it is, for it seems to me all they can do is to talk about what they will do, and raise expectations in the minds of humble folks which they never mean to gratify. Now, for instance, I've got a bit garden ground that grows potatoes and vegetables enough — and a fine bit of land it is ; but Josiah and I have always been ambitious to have a little farm, and be a kind of comfortable ; so we've been waiting year after year, thinking they would let us take up a few acres, but they seem to make such an ado — write long letters and make fine speeches ; but as to the land, why, there it is before our very eyes, as fine as Nature can make it, only waiting to be culti- | vated. But it seems to me they just like to leave it so, to have something for the great folks to talk about and fight over, like dogs over a bone. And now, Mr. Editor, this brings me back to tho subject which first roused my feelins. I found out just the other day the real state of things, that folks through letters and advertisements get you to throw their bullets of " envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness," hoping they will not miss their aim, while they themselves, under cover of " dear Mr. Editor," secretly watch the result. Now, so far from classing you with our rulers and governors, I think you're a man every sober-minded person shoidd pity. I've read somewhere about the editorial chair as if it was some high honor, but now I verily think it must be an uneasy seat. I can picture you there, Mr. Editor, in my own mind as a man bald, and grey, and wrinkled with care long before age has begun its work in that line. Dear Mr. Editor, how could you ever choose such a profession ? I'm-gladnone of my sons ever took a notion of. followin' after book learnin'. It would have ma3e my blood boil to think of my Sammy — bices him — being stuck up at every step by those who are so thin-skinned as to fancy this advertisement or that letter refers to them, and; made to answer for the sins of other folks — even, sometimes, to run the risk of gettin'~a Tiofsewhippifl'. You're a martyr, Mr. Editor, and if I could only write a history, I would put your name next the top of the list of heros. People now-a-days must be real cowards that can't fight their own battles without putting an innocent man between them. It seems 'to me those who make the bullets should have the courage to throw them. And now, Mr. Editor, adieu. I'd rather all my life long sit on a three-legged stool on modest contentment than aspire to eit in the editor's chair, or any other high pinnacle. — Yours' sympathisingly, Becky Struthehs.
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Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 354, 9 May 1874, Page 3
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637A SYMPATHISING COEEESPONDENT. Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 354, 9 May 1874, Page 3
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