Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1921-12-08
WHY BILL LEFT
THE Home TOWN

Bill Briggs was character in the
town in which he lived Not having
the advantages of an education ne
was a choreboy, later on a choreman.
Bill saw otter years of effort, that he
was getting nowhere in that town, and
seeing others migrating and on their
return visits hearing them tell of
the golden harvests to be CLEANED in
the larger cities and towns, ne decided
to do likewise
His leaving made no noticeable
change. The old town went along in
the even tenor of it's way. After a
short time in his new environment
Bills soul ranked with that indescrib-
able NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Has
honest heart longed for the old place
1t was easy for him to conjure up
scenes of his former activities. A
friendship here and there And then
Bill, in his own crude way, made a
mental comparison of his present and
past conditions and the people, What
was the difference? Why did the
hustle and hustle of the city at first
bewilder, then attract him ? Now, in
stead of his usual going about like
one in a dream or fast asleep, he had
caught the spirit of his surroundings
and was going about with his head
up, alert, and with eyes keenly alive
to things worth while Each closing
day was marked by set program for
the morrow Bill became a part of
this new order of things. In modest
way, financially, Bill was successful.
Time and again Bill promised HIM
self visit to the old town Some
new interest or attachment, either of
business or pleasure, kept him at his
work. Finally an opportunity came
that he could get a business of his
own. He had learned the ms and outs
of the delivery game. Attention to
details, a careful study, on account of
many customers and large and sma Il
parcels, was necessary to "get around
on time, thus making new and holding
old trade. The start Of this study COW
cred only small area but as he grew
naturally he branched out
He was just getting good start when
some fellow, realizing what a great
opportunity Bill had, made him an of
fer and Bill sold out.
Back to the old town for William.
Folks We're glad to see him. He was
dressed well. No SLOUGH of figure, and
Bills pockets We're not empty as of
old
A few days visiting and Bill was
looking for an opening. Again came
that period of comparison Why were
the people so different? What allied
the oldtown? He went from one store
t oanother. Talked with friend here
to another. Talked with friend here
and another there. One said: "Bill,
a few years ago we had a good town
here with good store or two in near
ly every line Of business. There are
just about as many people now but
only five stores such as they are, and
they barely make living. The old
town is going to ruin, and darned if
know what the trouble is
Bill went down to- the depot when
the local pulled in, just as he had
done hundreds of times before About
dozen packages of freight were un
loaded. A couple Of toots and the
train was gone.
Bill looked the freight over. Here
was box from Grab & Keep, Chica-
go; another from Bunkum & Co., New
York; Dough Bucks & Co., Grabem
& Co., etc. Every package was to a
private consumer Not one was adj
dressed to the town merchants
Bill saw the light. No wonder the
old town was dead. No wonder there
was no hustle, no pleasant faces. The
local drayman wanted to sell out to
Bill, said he was getting old; said
there was good chance for young
man with some money to build up
business.
Nothing doing-not for William"
said Bill. 1t is this boy back to
where things circulate. Where you can
tell what time it is by the crowds on
the streets and in the stores. Where
people believe in the live and let live
idea. Where there is civic pride and
community cooperation. Where there
is something to look forword to be-
sides deoth and toxes; so it's good
bye, old man, this trip-Wil,iam' S
gone for good
mn V0IJD DIT