Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-09-13
HOW 20 obtain subscribers.
A CANvAsSING SKETCH.

In the year SO, published semi-weeSly liter
airy journal in the city Of Detroit and at the
mencement of our out thar employed a I
local travelling agent-one John D, fellow
Of infinite tact in his business, and ordinarily Of
the merriest happiest, best natured bipeds ever
yet met with. John had way of obtaining sub !
scribers, however, peculiarly his own and his
cess proverbal. If be undertook to get a mans
name and subscription money, he got it-ihere was
lodging the issue, where he had resolved upon the
thing. John large, powerful mar, standing
six feet three in his socks-and he feared nothing,
in the performance of his duty at times when
sort The tricks of the trade necessary, he
was ever at home,' and hi, mimicry, smiling couR-
tenance, and capital address. always made him scores
of friends, almost at first sight. But John OCCASION
ally encountered tough customer.
You call that paper 2 exclaimed rough, big
listed fellow, dersively morning in cofee-house
where John caIvassing
well. do said John, quietly.
-, gil ouir responded the bully.
And you must subscribe too--come =
'Nots you knows on continued the other sneer-
ingly. Its a humbugr
What's humbug !.
That paper o yourn.'
Come, now, my fine fellow, that won't do added
our agent, not a little piqued. He always stood
straight up for the paper That kind o. talk amt
just the thing. my FRIEND, continued John, for there
were several persons present.
| Il say it's hum, persisted the fellows IAN you're
another
As the stranger got off this last remark, he APP
preached the instantly, and offered some
unmisakable demonstration of belligerent charac-
ter.
John measured his customer moment he adj
vanced, and drawing back, he very coolly knocked
the insoent fellow down. Then grasping the rowdy
| by the throat
| SIS my paper a humbug = asked John.
| 'Yes-cuss your pictur!
as, eb = continued the agent, bringing the fe-
low rap the side of the sconce, which astonish-
ed him immensely, 1T isis it Z and again he cuff
ed him yigorously-and then again and again, until
the bully began TO believe he had commenced opera
tons upon the wrong individual
is my paper hum?
'N--n-no p shreked the fellow, al last.
What kind of paper is it 2
Il dun mo-
Yes you do, said John, raising his huge mawler
over me others head, in threatening attitude, and
grinnng CHASTITY smile--'yes you do
Wal, le' me up said the victim.
I'll let you up, when you answer me-
Il tell you dun mo-
Il say you d. responded John. and again he
raised that fearful fist, and showed his gslenng
teeth.
.Y-yc-yesr shouted the sufferer.
What kind of paper is it, then! Tell me, or
I'll smash every bone in your ugly skin
Its a-a-it's a.
Quick
'lt's a goo-good--fuss rate one. Now le' me
upr
Not till you subscribe, old fellow
You won't q exclaimed John, looking daggers al
the PROSTATE hero, while he grated his teeth like a
mad catumount-and thrashed him violently upon the
hoOr once more.
Il will =
For year = asked the agent.
NO
What then =
'Sx--six months.
'Thatl be two dollars said John fork over the
tin, there's no trust in this trade
Lee me up say
Not till you've paid your subscription
wal, git off Ter me !!
There said John--who naturally very ac-
commodatng--and at the same moment, he turned 81
that the subscriber could get his hand into his pock
ct. The latter actually drew forth his purse counted
out two dollars in silver, and the agent released
him
John took his address, wrote a receipt, and then
invited his new made friend to take a drink. The
other, nothing 10th, Joined him at once for fear Of
giving further offence.
Then, getting up his specimen papers and Other
fxins, our canvasser turned towards his new sub
scrber, and with a bland smile of good nature re-
marked
Il think you'll like my paper, friend
'Yes-yes responded the other.
Its a capital paper
Yes, said the subscriber
An you'll recommend i, to your friends =
Yes, added the victim.
Its good paper
| Yes
Il may say, very good paper
Yes
Good day, SIR
Yes continued the patron. nbstractedy, as tn
canvasser departed; but 9 you amt O. the agent
read about, then haint Judge o. beesUar ? an
rubbing the side of his crown--whch had beer
slightly damaged, it happened, in the nnelee-h
disappeared. resolved never again ~ interfere wit
the power Of the press
f,r. NJ Re -Wnmon of fba