Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-08-03
Here and There In Advertising.
A STORY WITH A MORAL.

After twenty years OF incessant labor,
merchant of New York, who shlll be
nameless, found himself just where he
began twenty years ago, without dollar
he did not owe. Seated at his desk one
morning, pouring over bills and other
unsatisfactory documents, he asked him
self for the hundredth time, how it hap
pened that his neighbors were flourish
ing, while he stagnated, and found it q
hard matter to hold his own.
He said to himself, "I work twice as
hard as they do l am as honest and
prompt in all my dealings, and still l
do not make Roadway. There's my fami-
ly growing up, and my eldest boy, now
in the firm, and he must have, what L
fear, unless | make better sales this sea-
son, 1 shall find it very hard to give him,
fair portion Of the profits. What must
be done ?"
As he asked himself this question, a
respectable-looling young man, with n
book under his arm, entered his office,
stood before him, and Immediately adj
dressed him with polite "good morn
ing" which salutation the merchant as
courteously returned.
81 have called on little matter of
business, sir"
eyes, sir" said the merchant, pleas
antly.
He hoped he was about to receive an
order for some goods.
eff you are advertising now I should
like to receive your order -"
The frown returned to the merchants
face, and he turned from his visitor
with:
II am not advertising, sir, and do
not intend to-"
"You could not choose a better medi-
UNI than the firm l represent"
Times are bad, young man."
"The more reason that you should en-
deavor to stimulate trade"
81 don't believe in it, sir"
"That is strange"
"Never advertised in my life"
"Stranger STILL" thought the young
man, as he quietly took his leave.
AS he passed the outer door he said,
half aloud;
"You won't last long, old gentleman,
IL yOu IlOu uuNclul
A gentleman with n care-worn look on
his face, who stood in the doorway as
he passed, happened to oyerhear the re-
mark. Walking into the office, he
asked:
"Who was your visitor father?"
Gone of those troublesome adver-
Using agents. All nonsense throwing
away ones money in that way. We've
none to spare"
"Any orders this morning."
"No," said the old gentleman, with a
sigh, "and yet that last lot of goods are
splendid I suppose they'll be on our
hands next"
The son answered not word, but
went to his desk and examined his pri-
vate bank account.
Presently he said eft isn't much,
but III do it," then taking up his hat
he left the office.
About week afterwards the old mer-
chant sat as usual, at his desk, more than
ever discouraged and anxious.
I" If could only get rid of that lot of
goods" he said to himself, 81 should be
saved as it is, we are ruined. [ have
written to all my customers, but they
are all supplied. l ought to have real
lied fifteen thousand dollars, easily. It's
terrible, terrible !"
The Office boy entered, just then, with
letters from the postoffice. He opened
them, one after another, and groaned
over their contents There was one
more left. He opened it, and read
Gentlemen: Please send us a sample
of your cloth. If approved, we will
take the lot at your figure.
Respectfully,
G. o. A. HEAD, & Co.
"Bless u.s." said the old gentleman,
GIVE never done business with those
people. But they are as good as gold.
How did they know flat I'd the goods
they want? Well, thank heaven, we
are saved from ruin "
When his son came in, he found his
respected progenitor trying a pas Seute.
"All right, my son we're saved.
Here, read that letter. Halo I've
overlooked the postscript. What's that
We san your advertisement in The Daily
BobJIer.' Why, why-it's mistake"
and his countenance fell.
cts no mistake, father" said his
son, joyfully.
but never advertised in my life"
81 did, though"
"You
eyes; L have spent three hundred
dollars in advertising, and here's the re-
suit. A pretty good investment, ell ?"
The samples were all right, the goods
sent, and the money paid. The junior
member of that firm has serious thoughts
of getting straight jacket for the old
gentleman, for he's almost gone mad on
Advertising; and he possibly would stop
him, only-IT PAYs.-RocelPS Ne,Uspa-
en- Reporter.