Show the knockers prayer lord please dont let this town grow ive been hereford here for thirty years and during that time ive fought every public improvement ive knocked everything and everybody no firm or individual has established a business here without my doing all I 1 could to put them out of business ive lied about them and would have stolen from them if I 1 had the courage I 1 have done all 1 L could to keep the town from growing and never have spoken a good ward for it ive knocked hard and often ive put ashes on the childrens slide and ive made the marshal stop the boys playing ball on my vacant lot whenever I 1 saw anyone prospering or enjoying themselves selves sIve ive started a reform to kill the business or spoil the fun I 1 dont want the young folks to stay in this town and I 1 will do all I 1 can by law rule and ordinance to drive them away it me 0 lord to see that in spite of my knocking it is beginning to grow some day I 1 fear I 1 will be called upon to put down sidewalks in front f my property and who knows but what I 1 may have to help keep up the streets that run by my residence this lord would be more than I 1 could bear it would cost me money though all I 1 have was made right here in this town then too more people might come if the town begins to grow which would cause me to lose some of my pull I 1 ask therefore to keep this town at a standstill P that I 1 may continue to be the hief chief amen |