Advent of Sharpsburg's First Newspaper
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Progress, spirit of the present age,
Smiles triumphant on the printer's page

Time, noting what has just been done,
Records an era just begun.

Tell it to whomsoever you meet,
A friend today is on the street.
An event worthy to be noted down
In the annals of our growing town.

The news of the week, correctly, we think
Are reported today in printer's ink.

Is this privilege long denied,
A keen want has been supplied;

The gossip of this, and its sister town
Is gathered together and here "boiled down;"

Items of interest, from far and near,
For the old and the young, are published here;

To the household we tell a tale,
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Storekeepers who are knowing and wise,
Will be very apt to advertise.

O'er public humor we'll have a care,
In public success we hope to share;

The peoples' servant we'll ever be,
Our columns, to them, are always free.

And thus kind friends we'll make a start
With public interest at heart.

As such receive, and please protect
Our leaves from Winter's cold neglect:

The chilling winds of cold November,
The ice and snow of dear December,

On many a prospect, fair and bright,
Have cast their wan, and withering light,

Lives born for some glorious end,
Projects on which success might tend,

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Yet there's hope which we in secret feel--
May the Future from us never steal--

That THE HERALD shall ne'er await
The consequence of such a fate;

But may we into the household come,
And be welcomed 'round the hearth at home,

And may each family take much delight,
In reading THE HERALD Saturday night.

                             T.H.S.