The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-25
CHATTER IXXxun.
IA creditor becomes a debto

have created misrepresentation The
writer had no fear whatever at any
time of losing the three dollars he
might have been said to have cast
upon the waters There have been
frequencies in his own career when it
was just as difficult to pay three dol
lars as it was to pay three hundred
dollars. He knew that many times
Mason wanted to pay it and always in
tended to pay it. There was no ques-
ton about that II was bothering
Mason, no one else He also knew
that the Emporia man was bounded
and harassed by people who did not
have the faith in him that this writer
had.
In this connection Mason has writ
ten a letter which he evidently did
not intend for publication. but under
the circumstances, the liberty of print
ing it is herewith taken. as it can do
no harm
1t illustrates the integrity. the in
dustry and the genius which have led
the writer of that letter to his pres
ent wealth and independence, and also
proves what has been admitted in this
column, that by the successful adver-
Using of "Cedarcrest'' products to the
markets of the country, this writer,
once a creditor to the other writer to
the amount of three dollars is now
debtor to him in large sum,
which owing to personal demands, he
is unable to pay at the present mo-
ment, but which the existing creditor
in the account has kindly consented
to allow settlement "at your own con-
venience.' That's all the time we
want. Furthermore, any creditor who
Will not accept butter and eggs and
other farm produce at this writing in
settlement of his accounts, is a most
desirable creditor to have. But here
is Mason's letter:
Your story about that So is true but
apt to misle Id people into thinking that
I didn't want to pay it. When 1 came
to Emporia I owed about 81 coo in
small and large sums. and as soon as
my creditors heard where I had landed
they came down on me like wolves on
the fold.
THE first year 1 spent in this town
was the most strenuous I ever expert
enced. 1 wasn't earning much. and
lawyers and collection agencies and
Black Hand societies were after me
constantly. and everybody wanted his
money first. and 1 was driven almost
frantic at times.
Il had all the time the ranking con-
seriousness that owed IS to You, and
I also owed IS to another philanthro-
pist of Tojeka, who wrote me such ORA
matte, appealing letters that he finally
got his money. I'd have paid you some
how or other only for the feeling that
YOU would have fooled away the money
for Pekin ducks or setting hens, and
I needed the money too badly to have
it frivOled away in such manner.
Lest some of your readers get
wrong impression from your story, it IS
only fair to say that I have paid off
thousands of dollars of indebtedness
since the luck turned for me, and now
/ am practically square with the world.
Anybody with a just claim against me
can have it settled at sight.
AT the present time you owe me
about $3.50 for introducing Cedar Crest
products to the markets of the world.
You may settle this account at your
convenience, but no farm produce will
be accepted. 7 don't want any of your
old jack lanterns or Mother Hubbard
squashes- Yours truly, Walt Mason"
Colonel Roosevelt wants his over
jealous friends to stop springing sug-
gestions that he come out with more
statements in connection with presi
dertial possibilities. This is plain from
today's dispatches.
There is nothing for me to say. I
have made it plain that when the oc-
casion arises said he. Il will issue a
statement in my own handwriting.
That's all! I have had many letters
and many callers urging me to issue {.
public statement
The ex-president's utterance was in
spired, the dispatches say, by a tele-
gram and letters he has received from
Governor Stubs of Kansas, and three
other governors who are working OF
their own motion for the Roosevelt can
didacy. The colonel spoke of the let
tiers and remarked that while he felt
they We're written in a kindly spirit
the writer's were wasting time when
they pressed him further for a public
declaration.
Il haven't answered the letters said
he, Il won't take any notice Of such
letters
That's fine In this department
yesterday and on frequent other oc-
casions, it was set forth as an opinion
that many possibly good mentioned,
but ill-advised. friends of Colonel
Roosevelt kept trying to drag him into
a contest which he did not desire to
enter, and kept asking him questions
which were to put it mildly, impudent,
and ought not to be asked by any good
and sincere friend of the ex-president-
1t is earnestly hoped that these wise
people who think they know Colonel
Roosevelt's duty better than he knows
it himself, and who think they can tell
him what. as they say, he owes to the
public" will be quiet a while. and let
him pursue the even tenor of the ex-
emplary way he is following, and con-
tinue in the model position which he
has held upon a question which great
~ agitates the Insurgents. The best
thing for the latter people to do. it
would seem, would be to return to
LaFonette and Cummins. or one of
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