The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-10-22
PERFECT TOWN FUND

STANLEY Walker in New York
Herald-Tribune)
1t is the perfect town. Yet there
is nothing mythical about it; you
may find it nesting among the
hills less than two hours ride
from Jersey CIty-that is, if you
care enough for perfection to ride
or lie Fri, raj road. This town is
80 nearly pcrfec' that ! fled after
ten day. tearing longer staN
might d,<cios" som. unsuspe' tel
flaw
For yoars hid Deen trying to
sleep late each morning while l
score of chi dren shouted and
fought unler my window. On my
first day in the perfect town | was
stretched out on broad veranda
when saw a group of children
coming up the street.
Cant yet away from EN-" l
thought They'll start fighting in
y minute
Just then one of the younger
ones shricked. Bedlam seemed
imminent Rut one of the older
children caught the refractory one.
and said fiercey:
shut up! Can't you see the
gentleman is trying to rest?"
When l offered the children a
handful of pennies, one of them
spoke up:
I'm sorry, sir, but we never
take money except from our par
ents or when we work for it,
That was enough for one DAY. I
passed the afternoon and evening
somewhat dazed The next morn
ing another shock was provided
My host discovered a slight leak
in the kitchen plumbing and call
! ed the local plumber.
In fifteen minutes the plumber
was there. fully equipped for the
task. He set to work with such in
tensity that the leak was repaired
in an astonishingly short time
Then this destroyer of tradition
said:
mo charges for that. 1t was
trifling. Pay me some time wher
you have a big job to 10.
After such a spectacle it seemed
foolish to expect more. I was pre-
pared to accept the plumber as
freak. Yet that afternoon another
workman. a carpenter, appeared.
II got to worrying about tina,
screen l put in last week." he said
to my host. ut didn't quite fit
If you don't mind I'll plane the
frames down Bit
l was likewise not prepared fol-
what happened the next day. My
host went to the telephone anC
called the cashier of the loca
bank, who lived up the street E
little way.
con your way home this even
ing" said my host, "would you be
good enough to bring me hun
dred dollars? Ah-that's fine
Thank you so much"
The next surprise caught me al
even more solid jolt. There is al
old German woman in this perfec
town who bakes marvellous cakes
She makes a living by her baking
and she has seven children tt
care for. My host and hostess hat
ordered q chocolate cake. Tn,
woman sent her little girl to de
liver it. The price>was so cents
An hour later the little girl arrived
with another package.
Mother said to bring you thi
cake, too" she explained. "Yo1
might like it better than the othe
one"
When my host insisted on pay
ing for 1T the little gArle sail
scornfully: why, of course moi
It's a gift cake"
One night the khan had pa
rade. All, I thought, here at las
We shall see the end of all thi
neighborly stuff. Here we sha
see hatred and intolerance and bit
terness! The khan marched up t
a quiet farm in the hills and hel
ceremonies, after which the mem
bers disrobed and returned t
town. Several of them purchase
cigars from the local dealer,
Jew.
The taxi driver who took me t
; the station provided the fin;
touch. I gave him so cents. H
called ME back and gave me
. dime.
"The fare was only 40 cents" h
explained.
No, you shall not know the nam
Of this perfect town. You Nigh
| 60 out there and spoil it.