The Oskaloosa herald., 1911-04-06

and make possible also lighting al
you call it, but never could see am
benefit to me and they didn't get an,
of my money"
Have YOU Commercial Club II
this city," inquired the stranger
Yes, guess there is littl,
bunch of fellers who try to grail
everything that comes this way fo
their personal financial welfare an,
they call themselves a Commercial
Club
do they have secretary"
well. don't know about that, bu
| believe did hear they have rooms
in the court house. I'll show 1t t,
you when we get to the public squar,
and I'll also point out the hotels ant
you may take your choice"
What is that red light out Their,
on that ARM" They want police
man to report. You see, that l,
where the city administration resides
Some few people have wanted cit.
hall, but taxes is SO high We think i
is cheaper to rent The city has .
good site for one, though, and I've
heard some moving spirits don't wan
to build on it, because it might draw
people away from this street we are
walking on.
"Your city seems to be well pro
vided with good substantial struc
lures, and that is a magnificent build
ing to the south of us, modern and a
credit to any city. Is it depart
ment house?" ~
Well, to be, honest, | don't know
Just all they do handle. You see I've
never done any trading here. Fol
years lived out few miles in the
country, and while the town has
made quite good market for my
farm produce, I've done most of my
shopping in other cities, Chicago
for instance. You see. those houses
use catalogues and have become
so used to dealing that way we
scarcely ever have an occasion to
visit our own stores unless we want
something right away. But there's
a hotel and there is another. You
can take your choice. | live about
ten blocks from here, out on a car
line, and I'll have to say good night"
Il want to thank you kindly" said
the stranger, for the courtesy shown
me, and would like to ask a few
questions before We part. Do you
enjoy fire protection"
Yes"
Have a light at almost every
street intersection in your city,"
yes, and I've got one right at my
house"
Il suppose you have police protec-
ton for yourself and family and en-
joy all the benefits growing out of a
modern city,"
Yes, we've all that"
We'll, before | bid you goodnight,
| want to say land you will pardon
me, for am strangely that you are
the meanest man community can
have within its limits. You take ad-
vantage of every good thing offered
by your city, begrudge every dollar
Of taxes you pay, criticise and SIAN
der your community and the people
who are trying to make something
Tor it and are SO mean you won't join
with yourself and money to aid in
heir well doing. The trouble with
you is, you are so selfish and your
leart is so shriveled up that you
won't lend aid to anything or any
BODY unless you see two dollars COM
ng back at once for every ten cents
you spend
Then, too, you have a farm made
by the efforts of your hired
nan and perhaps your wife and chill
lren, but more than all else, the
,lOseness to this market and from
What you tell me about your shopping
'ou ought to have that market three
hundred miles from your farm"
The fact is, you are disgrace to
he Iowa farmer, and especially to |
he farmers of Mahaska county, who !
ave helped to build up this city and
re assisting in its maintenance and |
growth with their trade, influence
nd money. Why, if we had you in
'ur county the real live city folks
nd hustling farmers would skin your
Id carcass, tan the hide and out of it
make coveres for a few of Sears
toebuck catalogues"
This last remark was lost to the
Id man, who could be seen rambling
long toward his home.
After a refreshing nights sleep
nd breakfast in one of the good no.
els the business man, like man ex.
lored his surrounding. He had come
the city with purpose and with
his uppermost in him mind walked
risky southwark with some mis-.
wings prompted by his converse.
ion of the night before with the
ged resident,
He was agreeably surprised at the /
eautiful substantial homes which
net him from every direction. Rail.
Dad facilities, from the number of I
racks crossed and pointing in every ,
ERECTION seemed ample for his pur.
oses. At a depot he saw several I
liners taking train to an adjacent /
pal Held and said to himself, There
Ill be plenty of cheap fuel" He 4"
aw large brick structure CAPABLE !
housing a hundred and ffty or ,yo ,