The Topeka state journal., 1919-04-19
Stranger in Topeka Demon
strates Wisdom of Barnum.
He Was Broke and Badly in
Need of Stake.
TALKED RIGBY OUT OF A DOLLAR
Then He Bought Some Seed
and Begged a Flower.
The Rest Was Easy-He Got
Half Hat of Cash.
Yep. There's one born every minute.

Yep. There's one born every minute.
Maybe Topeka grows more than her
quota. Maybe she's just an average
town.
After all, there isn't much reason
why the BoIshevik should work or the
four -hoNr-a-day laborer shouldn't
have hfs wages doubled-three or four
times a year. Money is just about the
easiest thing in the world to get these
days. Only thing necessary is to know
how to do it and to go get it.
Several days ago stranger dropped
into Punch" Rigby's store and asked
the loan of dollar. Rigby never saw
the man before. Nor is it at all prob
able that the stranger had canvassed
Kansas avenue and selected Rfgby as
the e-zee mark of the town. Hardly.
He Had Good Lingo.
But it was an excellent line of con-
versation the man presented. He
wanted Just a sdollar-and only until
noon. He promised-honest to good
ness, cross my heart and hope to croak
if he wouldn't be back at noon and
leave two dollars for the one he bor-
rowed. And finally Rigby gave up in
despair-hopeless defenseless and un-
able to Withstand the onslaught-and
gave the man the dollar.
Next door is a flower shop. In
walked the stranger. He bought
quarters worth of radish seeds. And
quarters worth of radish seeds in
Topeka seems to be about the only
thing the high cost of living hasn't hit.
"Going out to the hospital to see my
sister. She's sick,' volunteered the
stranger. "She will want some flow
ers. Don't know what she likes best, ;,
But I'll be back after while. And
say, couldn't you just slip me one of
Those carnations to wear out there?"
1t was rather nervy. The saleslady
looked the stranger over a couple of
times. And the stranger left with the
carnation in his buttonhole-the most
perfect and beautiful carnation in the
shop.
Then He Bought Envelopes.
At Crosbys another 25 cents was
souandered. This time for small en-
velopes.
Then the stranger -patronized the
National hotel by using its writing
desks and ink and pens. He counted
his seeds and put them in envelopes
three seeds in each envelope.
Fifteen minutes later the stranger
was in the East side residence dis
trict ringing the doorbells.
Good morning, lady" said the
cheerful, never to be denied stranger.
"See the beautiful flower. Burbank s
latest and greatest development of
the carnation- His very latest. Grows
anywhere-everywhe If you love
flowers. you can't be without such
plants in your own home. You Will
be the envy of the neighborhood. Put
one in your husbands buttonhole
every morning when he goes to the
office. You can't buy the seeds any
where except in this personally con-
Quoted advertising campaign"
Back With Much Cash.
And the modest 25 cents which the
stranger asked for the envelope con-
/ tanning three seeds-guaranteed blood
| red radish seeds-seldom failed to
tempt the prospective customer. At
moonlight at the blowing of the
| noon-day whistle-the stranger was
| back in Rigby's store.
Here's your two dollars, mister"
| said the stranger. And the man who
had come to pluck little revenue in
| Topeka on quiet day dug into his
trousers pockets and fished opt half
| hat full of dimes, quarters and half
dollars. That's what your dollar did
for me this morning" said the man as
he put the money in his pocket and
sauntered out for his noon day lunch.