The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-07
Blankville. Kan, May 5, 'O9
Dear North TODeka PeOnIa and Edi+

Blankville. Kan, May 5, 'O9
Dear North Topeka People and Editor
! State Journal:
This has been one of the hottest DAYS
we have had this spring 1t also has
been a day of discomfort and bad luck
for me. Nearly all of my experiences
have been exceptionally disagreeable j
will relate some of them just to show
the other side of canvassing life.
Early this morning the weather. gave
promise of being fair. l decided to
canvass the wagon road between here
and small town. canvass the town
in the afternoon and walk home along
the railroad track in the cool of the
evening. BY rail the distance is about
six miles.
1 started about a. m. The first house
at which 1 stopped was off of the road
about a quarter of a mile, at the end
of winding lane. When 1 knocked a
slip of a girl, apparently about IL years
| old came to the door. I asked her if
her mother was at home. She replied
81 have no mother. She died a year
ago today. Father and the boys have
zone to town.
1 was taken back, but excused my
| self and went on.
At the next place was a low tumbled
down farm house. The man who an
swered my knock, said after he had
/ looked at the pictures for a while:
II can't afford them. I was bitten
/ by mad mule this morning and it will
take all of my spare money to go to
Kansas City and have the mad stone
applied"
Then he glared at me and began to
mutter to himself. I must confess ]
was startled-to say the least glanced
around the low, dark rooted kitchen
where we stood. I saw that the man
had shut the door and had latched
it. I tried not to show fear, but kept
on talking about the weather, etc.
while 1 backed toward the Coor 1 rails
ed the latch, opened the door. slipped
through and shut it behind me- The
outdoors never looked SO good to me-
1 ran for the road and jumped over the
fence.
At the next place 1 told the people
about the neighbours condition. The
man of the place only said: "Well, ]
feel sorrier for the mule which bit him
than 1 do for the man himself" 1 was
inclined to agree with these sentiments
The last house where I stopped be-
fore reaching the town. was the home
of a half-witted boy. AS L talked to
the parents. I couldn't help thinking
that their son came honestly by his
low mentality. The boy stood around
with his mouth open and insisted on
leaning on my shoulder as 1 showed
the pictures to his mother and father
1 took an order. however-the first sue
cessful canvass of my mornings work
1 will never forget the picture the
little village presented as I came in
sight of it at the top of the hill. Be-
low were a few struggling weather
beaten cottages, tumble-down store
building or two, and a dsuty road
which served as the principal street.
AS 1 drew nearer, l saw that the
people of the town were in keeping
with the houses. Many were dirty and
ragged. By this time it was nearly
noon. 1 was nearly famished but
couldn't eat the greasy bacon and hard
bread which constituted the dinner at
the one mean restaurant.
In the afternoon I took a few orders
At all but one or two houses, I wanted
/ to leave as soon as I entered.
About o'clock 1 started home on
foot along the railroad. A few miles
out of town 1 was seized with a terri
BILE thirst. There were no houses or
wells. 1 was very grateful when ]
reached the hotel here and took a good
drink Then came supper. Since then
have been writing, but will stop now.
may canvass another small town to-
morrow. z. NJ. r.