Annals of a Country Paper.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 6 January 1906, Page 55

Annals of a Country Paper.

The Diamond Jubilee clock in the market-place of Dullminster was marking the hour of 10 a.m.; the one in the editorial office of the “Dullminster Herald” (with which is incorporated the “Puddleton Advertiser” and the “Mumblehampstead Gazette and News”) was of opinion that it still wanted five minutes to that hour, when the portly form of Mr Pott-Slurk, editor, crossed the threshold, with an air which left no doubt whatever in the spectator’s mind that he was the proprietor of the estimable organ aforesaid, but rather conveyed the impression that lie was the exclusive owner of the market place as well. The staff, cqjisisting of a very young man and a very old boy, hastily concealing the Penny Dreadfuls with which they had been beguiling the time, on the approach of their respected chief, were discovered writing busily. “Letters, Mr Wiggl” inquired the chieftain blandly. "Yessir,” responded the very young man with alacrity. “On your d. sk, sir, in your room. There’s a parcel, too, I didn’t open it.” * • With a gracious wave of dismissal Mr Pott-Slurk passed on into his private sanctum. On the desk lay a bulky brown-paper parcel, as Mr Wiggs had said, addressed to the Editor. A couple Of snips of the oliice scissors, and a large Orpington lien was revealed to view, and lay with its claws in the air and its head dangling over the edge of the desk, very convincingly dead. In some surprise, the editor regarded the fowl. There was no note inclosed in the parcel; nor anything to explain its presence there. The paper in which it had been wrapped gave no due; tho post-mark being entirely illegible. The editor summoned his subordinate.

**Do you know anything of this, Mr Wiggs?” he inquired. No, Mr Wiggs knew nothing of it. lie ventured, indeed, to suggest that it might be a valentine.

"Yon may go, Mr Wiggs,” remarked the Editor coldly. And Mr Wiggs went. But the mystery remained unsolved. After turning it over in his mind, the editor came to the conclusion that the bird had been sent as a mark of esteem from an appreciative subscriber, and as this explanation was gratifying alike to his vanity and bis palate, he decided to adopt it, failing a better one. And so it happened that when Mr Pott-Slurk left the office that afternoon, he bore with him a bulky parcel which looked as though it contained a fowl; and that shortly after his arrival at his own house, Mrs Pott-Slurk hastily summoned the cook, and made an emendation in her previous orders respecting dinner.

On the day following the stirring incidents above narrated, the Diamond Jubilee clock in th,? market-place was Standing at 10.3, while the one in the “Herald” office, having stopped, gravely offered 4.21 as the correct time, when Mr Pott-Slurk again took his seat in th? editorial chair, and proceeded to go through his correspondence. The “ads.,” "locals,” "persona] pars,” and other items were duly docketed with that methodical accuracy which had gained for him his exalted position in the borough and the journalistic world; th,? account of the Devereux —Hooley wedding, to which he had lately escorted Mrs Pott-Slurk (in heliotrope satin) was reserved to be submitted to that lady for her approval before it went to press —for though on most subjects the editorial verdict was absolutely final, the better half of the editorial partnership exercised censorial rights as far as mention of her own person or apparel was concerned — when, without any warning, be was suddenly confronted with the following letter: Mapledrakes Fann. To “Herald” Editor. Dear Sir, —I sent off yesterday by Parcel Post a Buff Orpington hen for your inspection. I would be glad if you would say in your "Answers to Correspondents” what you think it died of, and oblige, Yours faithfully, Sarah Tibbetts. Mr Pott-Slurk went home early that day. He informed Mr Wiggs that he had just received some bad news. \Ve are happy to state, however, that he has recovered from his indisposition. This we have on th® authority of the "Dullminster Herald” (with which is incorporated the "Puddleton Advertiser and the "Mumblehampstead Gazette and News”).