here yOu were working eighteen hours out of every twenty
four for two weeks on account of that issue. And not.
merely working long .hours; but working under high
pressure with the safety-valve tied down. And then what
do you get for it? Not a blamed thing—except • criticism
devoid of 'personal feeling Why, if you don't loosen that
safety valve and blow about something like I do, you'll blow
up some day, see if you don't!"
The Critic had become so excited that he was pacing
the floor. Still the Editor ventured to finish his interrupted
remarks.
"As I was saying" he began "the criticism is truly
meant for our own good, and I am very glad to receive such
criticisms. It shows that one Alumnus took enough interest
to read the paper carefully and then spend his time to write
us his opinion of it. If a few more of the Alumni would do
the same it would be a good thing. Yes sir! A good thing,
and I should only be too happy—"
"Yes I guess you would be too happy!" exclaimed the
Critic. "It looked like it a minute ago did'nt it? You were
happy then! 0 yes, most confounded happy! Why, I believe
you were thinking about committing , susanside'. If you.
had, I would send that Alumnus a challenge this minute.
I'd fight him a duel, I'd throw ink-bottles, paste-pots, paper
weights, and-and everything at his head. I'd jab his eyes out
with a pen, and cut him up with the shears, and-Pd,-why,
I'd kill the fellow, and-and-then dance on his grave!"
The poor Critic was hopping madly about on one foot in
his excitement, kicking at everything within reach;' while
the Editor had hidden beneath his desk to escape flying
At last the tempest was over. The Critic began to
The .Edi!or and The Crilie.