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Literary
November 7, 1879
The Interior Journal
Stanford, Lincoln County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A satirical four-act sketch portrays a merchant's repeated delays in paying a $2 newspaper subscription, escalating from cordial promise to furious confrontation with the beleaguered editor.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
VOLUME VII.-NO
In American Drama,
ACT I.
Country Editor (to well-to-do merchant)—"Wouldn't you like to take my paper, Mr. Blank?"
Merchant (with great cordiality)—"Of course I would! Have been intending to subscribe for a long time. Send it up by all means."
ACT II.—THREE MONTHS LATER.
Extract from leading editorial in the Weekly Bugle—“We must urge upon our readers the necessity of prompt settlement of their subscriptions, many of which are largely in arrears. Please bear in mind that it costs us a large amount to print our paper. Country produce received at ruling market prices."
Merchant (after reading leader)—"There! I must call in and pay Bangs that $2. Perhaps he needs it. But there can be no particular hurry. Two dollars isn't much."
ACT III. -THREE MONTHS LATER
Devil (from Bugle office presenting bill to merchant)—"Please, sir, Mr. Bangs wants to know if you won't pay this to-day, as he has got to raise some money to pay his hands."
Merchant (somewhat nettled)—"Tell Bangs I'll call in; am pretty short to-day. (Exit Devil.) Bangs needn't be so mighty sharp with his bills."
ACT IV.—THREE MONTHS LATER
Editor (with a sick and weary smile)—"Good morning, Mr. Blank."
Merchant (shortly)—"Morning."
Editor—(weakly)—"This little bill that—"
Merchant (fiercely)—"How much is it?"
Editor (softly)—"Only $2. I wouldn't trouble you if—"
Merchant (in great rage)—"There's your $2, and I want you to stop the paper. I ain't in the habit of being dunned to death for a mean paltry sum as that. Now stop your miserable sheet—and you hear me!"
The poor editor, with a careworn face, feebly staggers out the door, having first gathered up the $2.
N. B.—Plot taken from real life, and is not fictitious.—[Rockland Courier.
In American Drama,
ACT I.
Country Editor (to well-to-do merchant)—"Wouldn't you like to take my paper, Mr. Blank?"
Merchant (with great cordiality)—"Of course I would! Have been intending to subscribe for a long time. Send it up by all means."
ACT II.—THREE MONTHS LATER.
Extract from leading editorial in the Weekly Bugle—“We must urge upon our readers the necessity of prompt settlement of their subscriptions, many of which are largely in arrears. Please bear in mind that it costs us a large amount to print our paper. Country produce received at ruling market prices."
Merchant (after reading leader)—"There! I must call in and pay Bangs that $2. Perhaps he needs it. But there can be no particular hurry. Two dollars isn't much."
ACT III. -THREE MONTHS LATER
Devil (from Bugle office presenting bill to merchant)—"Please, sir, Mr. Bangs wants to know if you won't pay this to-day, as he has got to raise some money to pay his hands."
Merchant (somewhat nettled)—"Tell Bangs I'll call in; am pretty short to-day. (Exit Devil.) Bangs needn't be so mighty sharp with his bills."
ACT IV.—THREE MONTHS LATER
Editor (with a sick and weary smile)—"Good morning, Mr. Blank."
Merchant (shortly)—"Morning."
Editor—(weakly)—"This little bill that—"
Merchant (fiercely)—"How much is it?"
Editor (softly)—"Only $2. I wouldn't trouble you if—"
Merchant (in great rage)—"There's your $2, and I want you to stop the paper. I ain't in the habit of being dunned to death for a mean paltry sum as that. Now stop your miserable sheet—and you hear me!"
The poor editor, with a careworn face, feebly staggers out the door, having first gathered up the $2.
N. B.—Plot taken from real life, and is not fictitious.—[Rockland Courier.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Dialogue
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Newspaper Subscription
Delinquent Payment
Satirical Drama
Merchant Editor
Subscription Woes
What entities or persons were involved?
Rockland Courier
Literary Details
Author
Rockland Courier
Subject
Satire On Newspaper Subscription Payments
Form / Style
Short Dramatic Sketch In Four Acts
Key Lines
"Wouldn't You Like To Take My Paper, Mr. Blank?"
"Of Course I Would! Have Been Intending To Subscribe For A Long Time."
"We Must Urge Upon Our Readers The Necessity Of Prompt Settlement Of Their Subscriptions"
"There's Your $2, And I Want You To Stop The Paper."