The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-07-30
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT
A Self-Made Man.
NJ. z. PARSONS

large anu DtdutiIul park, Wncre the
people loved to assemble on warm sum-
mer afternoons to enjoy the shade of
the trees, the freshness of the green
grass, and the various social pleasures
such place affords.
Now, it was one year decreed by the
city fathers that an addition should be
made to the attractions of the park by
providing free concert on the mall
every Saturday afternoon during the
warm season; and accordingly, a fine
band-stand was erected, surrounded by
rows of seats for the accommodation of
the public. The first afternoon in June,
the day the music was to begin, was
bright, warm and sunny, and as early
as , o'clock, an hour brfore the time ad-
vertised for the opening piece by the
band, the people began to assemble.
Among the first TO arrive was large,
burly individual, with keen and pfacti-
cal eye but n rather shabby coat. His
name was Sharp-Jack Sharp. Glanc-
ing about him at the brightly-painted
band-stand and the rows of comforta-
ble seats already filling with early-com-
ers anxious to secure good quarters for
themselves before the arrival OF the
crowd, and seeing one block or section
of seats not yet occupied, he walked
toward II, took from his pocket bit of
chalk, and marked in large letters at
the end of each bench, u. S." Then
taking out a ball of Irvine he walked
around the square of seats tying the
cord to the end of each one, and so en-
closed the whole in manner not to be
mistaken. This done, Mr. Sharp sat
down in shady corner of the first row
of seats and waited. The people began
to gather thick and fast and the seats
to the right and left were filling. Now
and then some one Apr cached the en-
closed square, looked a. the cord and
the chalk letters, and walked away.
Empty seats to right and left began to
be hard to find, and more and more in
hividuals walked up to MI. Sharp's
phalanx, looked at it curiausly and
withdrew. Finally one with a spirit
more enterprising than common boldly
seated himself on the front re " of seats
''See here, what are you doingS' said
Mr.. Sharp.
Taking seat to hear the music,
said the newcomer.
''Then you may get up and leave it,
said Sharp. 'These seats are mine"
''Yours; why are they yours?' sait
the invader. II don't see why they arr
yours any more than mine"
Don't you?" said Sharp. 'then IL
show you. Because got here first
took all the trouble to come Garlic
than any one else, and have sat here il
the hot sun almost an hour keeping
tramps off these seats and taking car
of then generally. I'd like to know
who they 10 belong to II they don't t.
me?''
''Well," said the man. seriously i'm
pressed, you might let me sit her
anyway; yeu can't use them all"
'.Well," returned Sharp, 9TH tell yo
what I'll do with you. I didn't wea
myself out taking care of these seats
and marking 'em and enclosing 'er
for nothing What'n you give me fo
one?~
'J'il give you ten cents" said the othel
'Ten cents?" said Sharp, contemptt
pusly. ''If you want a seat with in
pressiyeness) and want it enough
rive quarter for it, you can have it.
don't rent these seats for ten cents"
The man yielded, paid his twenty-fiy
cents, and took Il seat
Meanwhile the people were gatherin
faster and faster, seats were becomin
fewer, and by that time the music b.
gan. Mr.. Sharp was doing bris
trade Suddenly thought struck hin
"Dunderhead that I am" said he
himself, ito let these seats go so cheal
Why, if wait awhile, these people wi
get so tired standing round, they won
bc glad to five double the money for
lhance to sit down. and to the next a
plicant for seat he remarked: ''Sea
have gone up. They're fifty cen
apiece"
A good deal Of grumbling follows
upon this and for time the demaI
for seats fell off. but backs soon begf
to ache. the sun burned hotter, and Il
weary pleasure-seekers began. one
pne. to find their comfort worth the a
vanced price. Jack Sharp felt encou
aged: his spirits rose with the increa
ing weight of his pockets, and his fan
was stimulated anew. CHANGING dow
the Mall, he observed approaching fro
the main entrance to the park a ne
nd large addition to the crowd of m
sic lovers, and, without hesitation,
ready tongue had announced Zone d.
lar" and his ready hand rejected t
balf-dollar offered by the latest app
cant for place.
But you said fifty cents protest
his. a tired woman. land fifty cents
too much, but TN worn out standing
long and III give IL But as for d
lar. the seat isn't wcrth it. It's an &
surd price"
Absurd price. is it?' responded
Indignant proprietor. TOO much a
not worth it! You don't know WI
you are talking about, madam. 1
more PEOPLE there are for the seats