The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-20
MADE MONEY.
A Man Who Knew How to Sell Biaine's
Book

"When il became evident that Blaine
book was going to have an enormous
run" said Major Bteechly, Il ordered
three thousand, buying them, of course,
a, a reduced rate. went down into the
southern part OF Arkansas and did pretty
well until after the presidential election.
Then the sale fell off entirely, leaving me
with two thousand FIVE hundred on hand.
II made me feel uncomfortable, let me
assure yor, for ! had invested a small
fortune in the enterprise, but persis,ency
in canvassing did no good. The people
simply refused to look at the book. |
insisted on showing il to an old wooden
leg :e!!cw whc sa, on stump in a he,
Dent want that sorter book said he.
a. But, my dear sir, you do not want
epoch in our country's history?
- Don't want the book, tell you
a. Then, sir, said with much warmth,
you simply iosslli1e your mind against
the very bloom ofpolitical reminiscence.'
ale began to unbuckle his wooden leg,
because 1t hurt him, thought, but when
he swung it around and whacked me
over the head with it, | knew that the
thought was premature and that the con-
versation had awaited but little. Before
forget it wish to remark that would
rather be struck with plow-share than
wooden leg. With that implement man
seeAs to throw so much feeling, appears
to enforce such emphasis Of expression
that the audience sinks under his i'm
petuous sway. When looked back while
climbing the field fence, saw the old fel
low standing on the stump, waving his leg.
The next place at which | stopped was
presided over by an elderly woman, with
pleasant smile and a cordial how do
you dor She was a nioiherly old lady -
mus, have been, for she informed me that
her ten children were living all over the
neighborhood.
:" Madame, said |, let me show you
& copy Of Blaine's book, the literary
masterpiece of the nineteenth century
CANT he the man that was beat
luther dayI'
ayes, he was slightly defeated, am
told, which :.s- increased the sale OF his
book to such degree that am tempted
to raise on the price, but being that this
is you, will let you have it at the
regular rate of taxation
"My eyes amt none OF the best and
am afraid that couldn't see to read Il
at night and that's the only time have
to read
Madam, this is the very book you
need. 1t is a night book. A friend OF
mine whose eyes were almost out was in
duced to read this work, and would yoS
believe it, in two weeks his sight was en-
tirely restored
" You don't say5'
"'Yes, madam, ii is a positive TACT
"'Well, that is wonderful
Every remarkable, indeed
"' How do wush you had brought
that book around before my pore hus-
band died. He was blind for mighty
nigh a year. Do you think the book
would have brought his sigh, round all
rightP
80 am positive Of it,
"'Whut pity you did not fetch il in
time. II might have saved his life, for
grieving after his eyesight is what killed
him, think
al do not doub, i, in TIE least, madam.
What kind OF binding do you prefer 2
"'Which is the best for the eyesr
"Well, the cloth is COED, but the calf
has never been known to fail
"'I1l take the calf, think
"'Thank you
@She took kettle Of hot water off the
stove, md, somehow. don't think that
she poured il on me by accident may
have thought 50 at 6rst, bat when she
dipped up second eup-full and dashed
it at me, took mp the idea that she must
have had motive In the performance.
II had given up in despair when
bright thought began to dance in my
fevered brain. I had a lot Of slips printed
and bronzed. They read this way, BY
Grover Cleveland These ! pasted over
Blaine's name. Great Pericies, the book