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Show The Knocker's Prayer (The Weekly Graphic) "Lord, please don't let this town grow I've been here for thirty, years, and during that time I've fought everything and everybody; no firm or individual has established a business without my doing all 1 could to put them out of business. I've lied about them, and I would have stolen from them if I had the courage. I've .done all I could to keep the town from growing, and never spoke a good word for it. I've put ashes on the children's slide and have had the marshal stop the boys from playing on my vacant, lot. Whenever I saw anyone prospering or enjoying themselves I've started a reform to kill the business or spoil the fun. I don't want the young folks to stay in this town and I will do all I can by law, rule and ordinance to drive them away. It pains me, O Lord, to see that in spite of my knocking it is beginning to grow. Some day I will be called upon j to put down sidewalks in front of my property, andwheknows but what. 1 may have to keep up the streets that run by my premises? This, O Lord, would be more than I could bear. It would cost money, though all I have made has been in this town. Then, too, more people come if Hie low begins to grow, which would cause me to lose some of my .pull. I ask. therefore, to kep this town at a standstill, that 1 may continue to be the chief. Amen." i '. |