The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-24
THE GRAND PROMOTER.
He Steps Out to Borrow the Money to
Pay a Debt.

Knockl Knock, Knock!
Major Crofoot, grand promoter was
in his office, but he made no response
1t might be a lamb to be shorr. and
it might be a creditor to shear him.
Three distinctive and emphatic
knocks.
The major saw that the knocker had
a purpose in view and would not go
away without having accomplished it
but he did not respond to the knock
ing.
Two knocks and a kick.
That settled. There was no way
of getting out of the Office except by
that door, and the peril must be faced
bravely. The major had his sweetest
smile on as he babe the stranger en-
ter. The man who stood before him
was the proprietor of the Clothes clean
ing establishment around the corner.
There was a frown on his face and a.
CLEAN in his eye as he strobe into the
room and sat down hard on the chair.
my dear SIR said the major III
his softest tones, will you kindly per-
nit me to ask if you are here to do
the business with me or if you wish
to ask the location of the nearest dem
tist?''
1.-TWO years ago I cleaned some
clothes for you,' replied the caller.
Your name and business address,
if you please? ?"
"I vhas named Schmidt, and I keep
a place shust around der corner. You
know me like you know yourself.
vhas here ten times to collect p BILL
ITO collect a bill? I cannot under
stand. Elucidate means to make plain.
Please elucidate.'
"Vhy, 1 clean your clothes twice
und you, owe me dollar und a nalI /;
/ come here und you put me off all
der time Now I don't go until 1 get
my money"
The major stepped to his desk, con-
suited an old blank book for mo-
ment. and then turned and held out
his hand and said:
Mr.. Schmidt, I beg your pardon
thousand times over. You did clean
my suit twice. 1 hadn't the. change
and didn't pay you. I see that you
easions when I was busy. Excuse me
that I didn't recognize you at nTst
You are here after that dollar and
half, and you shall have it,
ct shall have it or sit right here for
one year!' said the cleaner
you will not have to sit very long.
The bill should have been paid lons
ago, Even though l am doing bust
ness of millions, I try to remember
the small things. Before 1 fill out the
check let me say to you"
"I don't take no .9,e check e. ' otter q
checks und go by der bank it Was no
good. I vhant my money"
Before filling out the check con-
tinued the major, as he rubbed his
hands together, Il wish to thank you
for your confidence in me when L need
ed friends. Two years ago l was on
my uppers. I had schemes, but they
refused to materialize. was dead
broke. I was discouraged. My suit
of clothes was covered with grease
spots. One day I entered your empor-
ium and asked you to cast your bread
a-f-
while I got into bath robe suit you
cleaned my clothes and said that
could pay when convenient Three
months later, when the suit was again
in need of renovation, you deftly re-
moved the grease and sent me on my
way rejoicing"
TT vhas too much to talk said the
creditor
But how can I help but talk when
my heart is full? Mr.. Schmidt, you
extended a helping hand tic me when
I needed it most. You braced me up.
You encouraged me. But for you
should not now be worth millions.
I cannot help but talk. I cannot help
but remember what you did for me
when you removed those grease spots.
You seemed to remove all my difficult
les at the same time. You knew that 1
was an honest man, and that the day
would come when would pay you TO
the last cent. and now the day and the
hour have at last arrived, Mr.. Schmidt
Il say dere vhas too much talk und
no money! exclaimed the man with
the bill.
Mr.. Schmidt, you have heard Of
Panama, haven't your"
What if I have?"
And the Panama canal?"
Does dot Panama canal pay lis
bill?"
at does Mr. Schmtdt-it does. 1t