1/9 CHAPTER XI. To meet this want, Charles P.Shiras started the _Albatross_ in the fall of '47. He was the "Iron City Poet," author of "Dimes and Dollars" and "Owe no Man a Dollar." He was of an old and influential family, had considerable private fortune, was courted and flattered, but laid himself and gifts on the altar of Liberty. His paper was devoted to the cause of the slave and of the free laborer, and started with bright prospects. He and Mr.Fleeson urged me to become a regular contributor, but Mr.Riddle objected, and the _Journal_ had five hundred readers for every one the _Albatross_ could hope. |