The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-10
Ananias Fisher. His Diary. Jan. 8,

Jimpsey. He lives northeast of town
over near the sand hills of the river
bottom He is one man in thousand,
this McJimpsey. lie is the living exam
pie of what the Salvation Army can do
for a fellow who has. had a hard row
of stumps to hoe in his life. The Army
made McJimDsey what he is
Four OF five years ago when there
was an associated charity organization
the association was suspicious of Nc
Jimpsey. 1t was limited that he did not
need anything in this world that he
was we'll and bOuntifully supplied. He
lived over near Redmondville then. He
had two horses. three children and
wife The family occupied four room
house. It was rumored that AIcJimp-
sey some times imbibed of the flowing
bowl
McJImpsey is now a member in good
standing of the Salvation Army. He
has but one horse now but the family
has increased There are five children
are only two rooms in the house but in
those two rooms can be found as much
happiness. despite adverse circumstan-
ces, as can be found in many a more
pretentiOus home.
The living of the family is made by
McJimpsey. He drives about town with
his wagon and his cry. ''r-a-g-s-o-l-d-
iron b-O-t-t-I-e-s-a n-d-b-r-a S s. ?"
Whatever he picks up he sells. He is a
connOisseur of bottles. He can tell by
looking at them just what they are worth
and he is mighty thankful when any
one gives him a bottle worth a half cent.
He is more thankful. in due proportion
for bottles that bring more. "A finely
made champagne bottle which held So
worth of stuff is worth only a penny"
said McJimpsey as ne picked up
Mumms extra dry bottle in the rubbish
pile of the back yard and showed his
good manners by not making any COM
ment on how it came there Now this
once continued McJimpsey picking up
Of stuff and it wasn't as good stuff
either, as that in the bigger bottle, hut
this bottle at the Junk house will bring
me two cents He again displayed his
good manners by avoiding any comment
on the beer label.
ventured the remark that there were
some bottles piled away in the corner
of the cellar and I informed Mac that
he might see if he could sell them We
went down to look at them. There were
enough bottles to fill five large wash
tubs.
McJimpsey looked at them He looked
at me. He fell to his knees and by the
faint light of the candle held he began
looking them over.
ri how many can talze2" he asked.
IAN of them replied
May God bless you" he said. All
e Cd Salvation Army soldiers say that
glad, and McJimDsey is a good Saliva
tionist
TN go get the boy. he's in the wagon
in the alley. Away went McJimpsey
and soon he returned with an 1S-year-
old boy. They began gathering the bot
ties into wash tub and carrying them
out to the wagon; the wagon that had
but one horse to pull it and the wagon
that used to have two horses. till the
other one died.
This is a Godsend to US" said Mac
with true feeling Boy, this is the best
luck we have had in weeks
7 f,oit at
Poor fellow. said McJimDsey. re-
ferring to the boy" who was making
his third trip to the wagon with a tub
full Of bottles. He amt got any home
L couldn't see him cold and hungry, 50
I took him in. He helps me and makes
himself right useful. He makes ten IN
/ the house-twO rooms. you knOw-but
we are getting on right well. It keeps
me rustling, though to get bread for
us all. This VIII be the best days work
for me for a long time. 7 saved up IS
/ to pay rent on the house for two months
I in advance I've got to have 81 ready
/ in the next week or we will be turned
out. This viii help me a lot. Some peO-
4 pie make me pay even when l get two
or three bottles. manage to make 4
4 little prOnt by paying penny Tor
bottle that will bring two cents and pay
/ ing a penny for two bottles that VIII
bring a cent apiece
ITS the man at the junk house that
makes the big money" said McJimpseN
whose dissertation on bottles was quite
interesting He ships them by the car
load. This is a whisky bottle. It doesn't
bring as much as a beer bottle. It is the
demand that regulates the price There
is a demand for beer bottles. There was
/ expensive liquor in that bottle" he re-
marked. looking at a label
You seem to know the brands" I
vertured.
Sure" said MeJimpsey II know
them. Why, I've got photograph al
home of myself and four others in a
1r1 T7f 0h 1f rr1n -
in front OF US and I am holding out
IS bin in the picture to pay for the
/ drinks. Oh. yes. know. But I'm not
that way any more I go down to the
hall Salvation Army hall) every night
| or so. I have reformed, and I reformed
| a long time ago. Ny money doesn't 90
for liquor-it goes for bread. These
bottles mean bread and rent for us The
Army is a great thing. It made man
of me. I used to think life was pretty
tough, but I don't now. I'm happy
I am just as happy as these rich folks. "
he said with sweep of his hand which
was meant to encompass the entire
neighborhood IN the remark.
I've a Christmas tree out there in
the wagon" he continued. TN taking IL
down to the hall to decorate with \
woman who had It for her children for
Christmas gave It to me It will make
the hail look mighty nice" McJimpsex
thinks Just as much OF the hall" rs
high church people do of the cathedrals
McJim-sey started out with the laee
tub full Of bottles His face was grimy
but it was radiant Several times he
muttered, Thank God for this"
He soied a box Of ashes in the yard
TIL come and clean that out for you
tomorrow and be 8lad to do it." he said
IN be glad to pay you for it, said
~ Won't charge cent, not a cent -
said McJimpsey. shaking his head
Here is dime anyway, on ac-
count" : said
Thank you, God bless you, that's two
loaves of bread said McJirnpsey and
he held out his hand and said good bye
What did you give him the money
for, he won't come back, said a neigh
Dor.
MeJimpsey did come back. Bright