| Fernando Clapp, | Editor pro tem. |
| Ephraim Simpson, | a Country Farmer. |
| Dr. John Jenkins, | Vender of Salve. |
| Eugene Snow, | Printer’s “Devil.” |
| Araminta Ellis, | a Sentimental Young Lady. |
| Geo. Crane, | a Mechanic. |
| Dr. Wm. Randall, | Proprietor of Anti-Dyspepsia Pills. |
| Henry Perkins, | a Fierce-looking Individual. |
Scene I.—A country printing office. Editor pro tem. sitting R. before a table C. covered with MSS. Piles of newspapers upon the floor on either side of him. A pair of scissors in one hand and a pen in the other. Enter Ephraim Simpson, L.
Ephraim Simpson. Is this the office of the “Petersville Post”?
Editor (with some curiosity). It is.
E. You are the editor, I reckon?
Ed. You are right.
E. Well, you see my name is Ephraim Simpson, and I live over to Greenfield. I’ve been workin’ this summer hayin’, but I found it was too hard work, and I reckoned I’d come to you and see if you couldn’t give me a chance to edit a little.
Ed. Why, you know it is quite a difficult thing to learn to edit a paper. It requires education, judgment, and a variety of other qualifications.
E. Oh, as to that, I guess I can satisfy you. I have tended school in our deestrict for four winters, and can read, write and cipher like a book.
Ed. That is all very well, but you know one must be able to compose as well as write.