TOO PERSONAL.

North Otago Times, 3 December 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

TOO PERSONAL.

He walked into the sanctum sanctorum of the editor. That worthy, after a careful scrutiny of the member of the public, came out from behind the door and introduced himself.

'"Oh, you're the editor of this paper ?" said the visitor. '.'Grand paper yours, and no mistake I" "Very kind of you to say so," said the editor, bowing.

"Yes," continued the visitor,' seating himself in a chair, "I like your paper, especially the personalities. I

suppose you have a little trouble now and again over them ?" "Yes; occasionally things' are a bit lively," said the editor.

"'Ah, so I should have thought, Ever shot at by indignant individuals—oh ?"

"Only on publishing days. People, get out their revolvers, and wait about here for me to go home; but as their nerves are in an excited state their aim is unsteady-they never hit." Next day they get cool, and sec the paper isn't'so very personal after all." •

"That's right," said ' the visitor. "You mustn't be too personal, you know. That will never dp. Keep up the moral tone of your journal, and don't be too personal, Now, I've brought you a little item for insertion if you can manage to put it in. Just say this in your next issue: 'That red-headed cross-eyed Ferguson is mean enough to steal a piece of meat from a blind boy's dog. Why doesn't he pay his tailor?' Could you put that in 7" "'l'm afraid it's just a little too personal. Doesn't it strike you that way ?" asked the editor.

"Too personal ?" asked the visitor. "Not at all; it's well deserved." "That may be," replied the editor, "but I fear I could -not pass it. Have you any animus against Ferguson !"

"I? Not at all," retorted the other, indignantly. "But I want to know when he is going to pay for that suit of clothes." • "Oh," said the editor, as a light dawned upon him, "then you; I presume, are Ferguson's tailor ?'■' "Presumption perfectly correct." "Then I'm certain I couldn't pass it, I should advise you to. sue ( him in the county court. This journal is not an amateur trade protection society,"

"Isn't it ?" cried the other, rising. "Then all I can say is that it's a swindle. What's the use of a paper if it can't make a" man pay his tailor's hill?" ••'.

And the indignant tailor bounced out, and described the journal to everybody as a paper' that in his opinion was far too personal.