Newspaper Error*

Newspaper Error*

There are people who collect misprints from newspapers — as evidenced from a special section reserved in Reader’s Digest for such.

It’s an interesting hobby, no doubt.

Every printer enjoys them ter* rifically—provided they did not ■ IjMcar as part of his handiwork. It’S sorta’ like kids’ mischief; their pranks are frightfully funny— unless, of course, your kids happen to be'the ones mixed up to it* -i—then it shows up in an entirely different light!

The poor little Rappahannock News—in all its youthful innocence—last week published the (word “damyankee.” The little Weekly paper meant no harm— how were we to know it was two words? But into the mail this week came the letter from the person._ on whom the term had been used.

There is some speculation that the gentleman wouldn’t have bothered, but instead of being a native of Maine, as he was accused, he is from Texas—so gossip says—and has just been living in Maine for some time.

Regardless of his reasons, the printers and the editor take the correction completely to heart, and they shall try in the future to remember what the man has tried to teach them: it’s two words.

Here’s his letter:

My Dear Editor:

After having looked extensively through Webster, intensively through Punk and Wagnalls, I failed to come across a term used in your newspaper. “Damyanlcee.” Damn is listed and so is yankee but not as one word.

I have been informed of a story. It seems that gentleman, south of the Mason-Dixon line, was questioned as to his lineage. He drew himself up to his full height and remarked cooly—“By Gad, sir I’ll have you know my grandmother was 83 yean old before she knew damn yankee was two words.”

This I pass on to you, your cohorts, confederates—countrymen —for what it’s worth.

Mam, y’r most obe*t serv’t,

BLAIN DURHAM.