Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-02
PANSY BLOSSOMS.
The Ordeal That a Reporter
Went through in a Mu-
sic store. frNes
Chicago Trihuna.

A Tribune reporter who happened
to be on Michigan avenue without his
waterproof when the rain began yes
terday forenoon, took shelter in o
music store. 1t was not one Of the
swell music stores with a six inch
deep carpet on the floor. and brass
buttoned attendant at the entrance
and a clerical looking usher inside,
and a dozen Sinking clerks behind
the counters and a pretty young lady
on the cash stool lit wasn't that kind
Of store. 1t was plain store, where
space was valuable. One half Of it
was tsilor's shop and the other halt
was music-music in wagon loads.
There were at least 10000 "0nly a
Pansy Blossom" back of the win.
dow, and 5000 "0ld 0aken Bucks
cts" on the end of the counter,
aud a wheelbarrowful of "I'll. Meet
Her When the-Sun-Goes Down" in
the middle of the floor, and big pile
of "Maiden's Prayers" in the corner,
and an armful OF Peek a, Boos''
hiding behind the chair, and about a
million of over the Garden Walls
and "Biddy Magees" and "Cackle,
Cackle, Cackle," slowed away under
the tailor's cutting board. There
wasn't room to whip a cat, ss the say
iug is. II believe you want some
street agents to sell music, don't your
said the reporter. Eyes, SIR" said
the man in charge, booking ;i Tue 10.
porter over as though he was afraid Of
him stealing something. II believe |
could make some money at that until
the telegraph strike is over; | don
want to be idle" said the reporter
YES, | am almost sure you could
if you are willingto go into it" said
the young man. I'VE have a couple
of men at it and they earn over $6 a
day easily. There is no trouble selling
new songs; you see the music is Just as
well printed as the fifty cent issues
The wholesale price is two cents Q
copy. Suppose you take a hundred
copies to start with-that will give you
a nice assortment, ten songs and ten
copies of each-costing 50. You
soon sell them off if you are any good
as a salesman, and that's So earned,
1t depends good deal on the songs
you offer whether you succeed. Now,
here is a beautiful thing that every
body wants." and the young man
reached for sample piece, and began
to sing the air:
Aud it's how love
Pretty little Mary.
She's the keeper of a dairy;
On, how love.
And I'll meet her when the sun goes down
The reporter stood the racket with
perfect complaisance-he has board
ing house chuh who is learning the
concertina, so he is fit to stand any
kind Of ameteur harmony. very
nice, indeed" he said, with mild en-
thusiasm. "Now here's another" con-
tinued the young man; Its Gus Will
liam's song, One OF the Finest, and it
sells like hot cakes. You wouldn't
believe what we sell of that song
Here's Is that Misther Reilly, and
it's a whscker, We Never Speak as
We Pass By has an immense sale also,
aud Empty is the Cradle is another
OF the D KS. Here's a tip topper,
'Baby's Got a Tooth, and again the
music began:
George dear George dear. would you know
George dear, the baby dear, bless the LITTLE
youth
Do get up and light the Ere,
Turn the gag little higher,
Run and call my Aunt Mariar,
Baby's got tooth''
Gould [ sell some for you in the
Stores2" asked the reporter, when his
applause had subsidized.
Yes, you could, / am sure. We
shall let you sell it at % per cent COM
mission on sales. Terms cash. / think
your could do better that way. Now,
here's piece there's thousande sold
Of (singing):
"'0nIy a pan"
Il was too much-the reporter
wildly fed.