, 1875-03-27
Selling A Subscription Book.

IL Fred B. Perkins story, "Scropc," ,"
Mr. Button is subSCriptiOn-book pub
Usher, and is described at much length,
with samples of his manners and con
yersatiOn. Perhaps the best scene in the
whole novel is his interview with the
book agent, JacOX, whom he wishes TO
get into his service Here is the end
Of it:
Now, Mr.. Jacox, do you know how
to sell Il customer a bOOk?"
why" said the little man, greatly
impressed by the intense manner and
wcIgnty matter Of Mr.. Buttons address
-" Why, Eve been in the habit of think
ing so; and I've sold a good many books;
but FL say this, Mr.. ButtOn-that I'm
ready to take your directions"
Now We talk like man o scnsc," "
said Button. " Hcre'-and taking up Il
copy of the "HiStory of the Bible" he
handed it to Mr.. JacOX, adding: Now
sell me that book"
Jacox looked puzzled.
Il mean it. ! mean exactly that.
Sell me that book | don't want 1t.
Confound book agent, anyhow! Cursed
piratical yillainsm
JacoX, without word, took the volume
and rose from the chair. Button seized
a pen, turned to the table, and began 10
write assiduously.
Mr. Button, bclieye:n said Jacox,
in prompt and sharp, but gOOdnatured,
voice.
JacOx laid the book on the desk, open
to the title page.
There, Mr. Button You're 4 man Of
family. That book will 90 more 10 keep
your children honest and safe in their
morals and their practice than all the
Sunday-schools in York State. You've
got to own it"
Get out with your bOOkp exclaimed
Button, slapping down the cover of the
book and giving it 4 slide So angry and
vicious that ii flew quite over the edge
Of the table.
Jacox caught it neatly in the air, laid it
right back where it WAS before, open Just
the same, and went straight on IL exact
ly the same tone, barely making semi
colon at the interruption.
As | was saying; now, for instance,
your daughter hears somebody say the
Bibles a humbug; she's a young, innO-
cent girl, and don't know good and evil.
Or your son, and he thinks it smart To- he
an independent thinker. But when they
come home and ask YOU or their mother
about il, you just look up the points in
| this book and you set 'em all right and
save fine Young fellow that you have
set YOUR heart on from going hcad-tirst
into infidelity and all the WlckednesS that
IL II,..g ,llDsr NIT n II y
"You see" broke of Jacox, all Of a
sudden, this is no fair shakes. !
haven't studied up the book. | don't t
know ANYTHING about it ut all | can't
sell book that don't understand
Neither could YOU nor anybody l can't
preach at random"
You've done very well, Mr.. JacoX,
said Button, with a smile; " that's jest
what | was a Waitin to hear ye say. !
was a lOohin' to see how long yOu could
run your mill without any grist int.
You're the man l want, l guess You
amt afraid, and You don't get upset, and
you don't lose your temper. And II
you'd had the fax about that book well
in your mind, how long would you have
hung on to me-"
4 fell look Of bulldog tenacity
settled in the queer, light-blue eyes oi
| the little man as he answered with ms
| teeth set together:
"T;ll had your name down for one
or more copies, unless died first y
Wal" said Mr. Button, that's eX
trcmelY satisfactory; now must go; can
you come in here tomorrow morning al
nine exactly:"
Jacox said he could.
'Thcn I'll make an arrangement with
We that'll suit yc, | guess. ! want tt
/ give We some partiklcrS about scllln'
! too, that'Il be of service to ye- And see
here; wish you'd master this here"-ht
! took printed thing like a sort Of hand
bill or broad sheet of the table and gave
| il to him" and see how good an aC
count ont you can give me in the morn
in Adrian, you take one, too'-hi
handed him one accordingly-"l want
We 10 see how these things are done
! Good-day, MI JaCOX.
And with more cnrliality than he had
vet shown the great man arose and gave
his new agent hearty farewell shake o
the hand.
When Jacox was gone Button sa
back in his chair with an air Of Ncarl
ness that rather surprised Adrian, and
wiping his forehead, he asked the lat
| ter:
"What dye think o that
"Ididn't know there was 50 much gen
eralShip in the business" answered the
young man.
There is, though, and it uses up th'
general, too. Tell ye what It's, II spend
a mans life to put force into things iih,
that. I've got that JacOX, but I'm tired
! I've grown kinder shaky, nervous
woman would call it. can't stan It a
well as could fifteen years ago. fee
queer kind O dizziness every once IN
while, and sorter pains in the back m.
neck. | only wish my son Bill woul'
take TO the business; really, I'd bough
nv own book o JacOX if 'twould a so
| Bin on the right path, continued Mr.
Button, with a queer, painful smile"
couldn't help thinkin' ont when n
made them pmts about mans children
Rnt IFS too late now, reckon. He mus
graduate 1t the law school, | s'pose, an'
travel and be somethin' or other, In
sure | dO'nO' what"