The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-29
CALL OF PRAIRIE.
Glare of the Metropolis Pals on
Kansan.
Money No Inducement to Live in
Chicago.
HE'S ON HIS WAY BACK
Resigns Lucrative Position Just
to Come Home.
Jayhawker Who Made Good on a
Metropolitan Paper.
HE'S ON HIS WAY BACK


The following from the Chicago Tri-
bune is signed by Richard N. Little,
the noted special writer and war cor
respondent and the hero of the story
is G. A. Cain, formerly political repor-
ter of the State Journal, now a mem
Der of the Tribune staff:
The Fatal Word.
LBY RICHARD HENRY LITTLE.i
Lame was from Kansas. About three
days from. His manner of conducting
the firms business at the Kansas
branch caused even the senior partner
in Chicago to sit straight UP and take
particular notice. He had never thought
of Kansas much before except that it
began with K. bought n large quantity
of goods and was the residence of Car
RE Nation and William Allen White.
The senior partner had no especial
objection to Kansas, being broad mind
ed and knowing that the money sent
him from Kansas was as good legal
tender as any other kind, he kindly
regarded Kansas more in sorrow than
in anger and dismissed it as neces-
sary evil.
But when L.aine began doing about
three times the business of any other
branch office of the concern the senior
partner decided that Kansas was alto
gether too contracted field for so
much talent and that Lame should be
1ulPOTLCQ 10 SIICd6O Il ~. OiA LliC
hoof. The senior partner thought, of
course, that Lame would come into his
office weeping childish tears of joy and
pride at being set free from Kansas
and translated to Chicago.
AS he thought it over his heart glow
ed with emotions that were almost hu-
man. He felt that he was indeed a
great humanitarian, who had done
something for his fellow man. Accord
ingly he did not raise LANES salary.
Raising him from Kansas To ChiCdPO
was enough. He seriously considered
cutting LANES pay when he got to
Chicago, Lame would be so grateful he
probably would stand for it without a
murmur.
1t was a great shock to the senior
partner some weeks later to be told
by the western manager that Mr.. Lame
declined with thanks the opportunity
of coming to Chicago and would con-
tinue in Kansas.
He's cute" said the old man to him
self. "Of course, he's crazy to come
to Chicago, but he's stalling for more
money. Well, give it to him"
But Lame declined again and once
more. Finally he was offered just twice
his pay as manager of the branch in
Kansas in case he emigrated to the
great entrepot of North America. That
settled it, and Mr.. Lame forthwith
packed his belongings and came to
Chicago.
He's wonder said the old man.
admiringly. Just think how he made
US come to his terms. There he was
crazy to get out of that jayhaWker
place and yet he stood pat until the
firm came across. Wonderful"
Perhaps" said the western manager,
timidly, perhaps he really wanted to
stay in Kansas"
full vehemence that the policeman on the
corner thought that bomb 81 in the
gamblers war had been exploded.
But the western manager had been
in Kansas and he viewed Lame with
suspicion and alarm. So much so that
he added SO a week to LANES salary
to get his signature on a contract that
he would remain six months in Chicago.
He wanted to make it a year, but fin
ally had to compromise on six months.
The old man exploded again and with
greater violence when he heard this.
What" he shrieked, Lame go away
from Chicago? You couldn't get him
out of this town and on train headed
for Kansas if you blindfolded and hog
tied him and backed him into the
train" But the western manager was |
glad he had secured LANES contract.
Lame plunged into the work in Chi |
cago with great earneStneSs. He proved
the first day he was worth importing. |
But he didn't seem to be happy. Every |
morning he had fresh tale of woe. He |
didn't like the lake breeze, the damp |
air made him cough he OlQn I llke the |
tall buildings, they cut off the view. |
He objected to the smoke and the dust, |
and he thought the firm ought to keep
an oculist to remove things from his
eyes every time he poked his head on
the street.
''Stallins again." said the old man |
when these things were repeated to |
him. Say, how much money does |
that Jayhawker want anyhow" But |
the western manager shook his head. |
The third day Lame decided that |
he was coming down with consump- !
ton. He knew that two months more |
in Chicago would finish him. The |
western manager pooh-poohed and |
pish- flushed. He took Lame in to see |
the old man himself.
Mr.. Laine. we like you" said the |
old man. I'VE regard you as q dis |
covery. You've got the chance of
your life with us. But don't come too |
strong. Now, just what do you want |
anyhow? Let's get to it and have it |
over WITH
II want to go back to Kansas" said |
Laine slowly.
The old man laughed ironically. |
Now look here, LAME" he said. "Yo on |
know you are touching the harp a |
little too heavily. 1 know all about
Kansas. Why. my wife's cousin lived |
out there. Went from Ohio. The |