The Huck Headlines:

 The Big Show Scam/ Article 2

All of the men in our village this morning are furious due to two strange malefactors who cheated them out of their money the past three nights.  The two men are named Edmund Kean and David Garrick.  Edmund Kean, the Elder, looked about seventy or older and he had a bald head and very gray whiskers.  David Garrick, the Younger, was about thirty and had dark hair. (ch.19, 123) Everyone in the village is on the lookout for these men that they show disdain for; thirsty for revenge and the return of their money.

Edmund Kean the Elder 

Three nights ago, everyone got excited about posters they saw hanging around the village advertising a big production in the Court House.  It stated that the Tragedy of The King's Camelopard would only go on for three nights and no women or children were aloud.  It also said that admission was fifty cents. (ch.22,152)  The first night of the production sold out quickly.  Many eager men filled the seats.  They were enjoying the beginning of the show; however you can not really call what these men advertised a show.  It was


David Garrick the Younger

merely one scene and then the men caustically claimed it was over.  All of the customers became furious and threatened to tell everyone in town about the scam; however, Edmund and David convinced them that they would look foolish if they did. (ch.22, 154)

The second night, many new customers filled the seats and the same thing happened as the night before.  Everyone in town was furious because the men ended up raking in more innocent people's money.  Surprisingly, the third night all of the seats were still filled.  We got the chance to speak with some of the innocent men and they informed us that they only went back to throw sickly eggs and rotten cabbages at Edmund and David for the sick scam they had played, but they never got the chance. (ch.22, 155)  The men were ready for some real revenge and entertainment, but little did they know the rapscallions had escaped!  All of the men angrily searched, but the two men were nowhere to be found.  Before the third show, we go the opportunity to interview Edmund and he informed us that they managed to earn four hundred and sixty- five dollars from the three shows.  (ch.22, 155)  Those thieves had wits and ended up getting away; however, they better watch out because the Arkansas men do not like being humiliated.  They are out for blood. 










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Most Wanted/Article of Choice

 

The Huck Headlines:

Should Huckleberry Finn be censored?/ Opinion Article

The book, Huckleberry Finn, takes place during the nineteenth century when slavery was very common in the United States.  Many African Americans were owned to work for whites, and they were also looked down on by their owners.  Often, whites used the word "nigger" to refer to their slaves and to other black people during this time period.  Mark Twain used this word a number of times throughout his novel, Huck Finn, and today the issue of whether or not the word "nigger" should be censored out of the book is very controversial. 

Many people today, especially African Americans, find the use of the word "nigger" in book offensive and amoral.  Although the word is not the kindest label to use, I believe calling someone a "nigger" today is more offensive than it was back then.  During the 1800's, whites got so used to calling blacks "niggers" that often times they used it nonchalantly and they meant no harm by it.  Today, since everyone is segregated and the word is used much less often, I believe it is more offensive this day in time.  In my personal opinion, I think that people reading the book today need to realize that and look past the use of the word in the book.

One example of how Twain used the word "nigger" in Huck Finn is "Miss Watson's big nigger, named Jim, was setting in the kitchen door."(ch.2, 6) Personally, I believe this adds to the book and the book would not be the same without the use of the word.  It helps take you back to the time period and see what Huck Finn's life was really like.  Huckleberry Finn is an American classic that is read in tons of English classes and I believe that the book should not be censored in any way. 

 

The Huck Headlines: 

Harney Shepherdson

Shepherdson vs. Grangerford Incident/ Article 1

The Shepherdson vs. Grangerford rivalry has been the talk of the town for the past couple of years; however, this Monday morning, tragedy actually  struck between the two families.  Early today, Colonel Grangerford announced that his comely daughter, Sophia, was missing.  Shortly after that, the Shepherdsons realized that their fetching son Harney was also gone.  This was the start of a typical Romeo/ Juliette love story but unfortunately, it ended worse than the original story did.

Immediately after the two families became aware of the situation at hand,
the women tried to talk things over while the men rode of on their horses
to stop the couple from crossing the river. (ch.18, 116) The fighting between the men got gruesome and it did not end well.  A plethora of casualties occurred once the incident was all said an done.  Five of those casualties were Grangerfords while two of the reported casualties were Shepherdsons.  The Grangerford fatalities include Col. Grangerford, Buck, Joe, and two of the bodies have yet to be identified.  Both of the Shepherdson bodies have yet to be found or identified.  In the end, Sophia and Harney ended up getting away.  (ch. 18, 117)  At this moment, they have no idea about the amount of chaos and destruction they have caused back home between their families.

The Grangerford Home

At the scene of the incident, we got the opportunity to speak with and query a bystander by the name of  GeorgeJackson.  He had been staying with the Grangerfords for about a week and he informed us
 of some very useful information.  George even witnessed the action first hand!  He told us that Buck had stated "The Shepherdsons was too strong for them." just before being shot by a Shepherdson man. (ch.18, 117)  George seemed quite upset and guilty about the whole situation.  He told us he felt as if it was his fault the entire incident happened because Sophia had sent him to fetch a note from the church just the day before from Harney that had printed on it "Half- past two." (ch.18,113)  Jackson seemed very rushed so we did not get any more information out of him; however, we got enough to know the story of how the momentous Shepherdson vs. Grangerford rivalry ended.