The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-05-01
BOOK CANYASSERS.
The Methods of the Male and Female Of the
Genus.

|
Genus.
In no other part of the world is can
vassing carried on so large scale II:
: IN the United States, particularly in
the city of New York. Advertise
ments can be read in almost every
daily issue of our metropolitan jour
nails offering employment to those who
will undertake this mode of gaining a
living. Yet it is an occupation that
not one in hundred will succeed in.
1t attracts that very large class who
have by some means or other failed
in what is generally termed "the gen
teel profession" and so clerks, law
yers, authors, actors, artists and many
clergymen take to it. Canvassing APP
pears at first very easy way of realiz-
ing an income. Yet it is one of the
most difficult; for man to be good
"canvasser" must in reality have II
thorough knowledge of the world and
be keen Judge of everyday life. No
matter what position in life II man
may be 1n-brown-stone-mansion man
or tenement-housc man-he will not
generally deny. from mere vanity's
sake, but what 'he's q reader" al
though probably some have no little
difficulty in recognizing one author
from another. In canvassing a book
the canvasser must be able to freely
speak of the author and his works,
the illustrations, the binding and the
publishers.
you see," said an old canvasscr a
few days since to a reporter, ''when
you canvass a book you have to carry
1t with you Consequently when you
approach the man or house 1.-THE book
canvasser" IS at once recognized, and
you get Il refusal in some shape or
other before you can hardly utter IL
word. Now, sir, you would be sur
prised at the success of women rs
canvassers they far outshine the
men. The fact of being one of the
gentler sex is largely in their favor,
The sight of a neatly dressed and per-
haps good-looking woman trampine
around in search of livelihood
touches the tender impulses of the
heart The lady canvasser gains
the entree where the gentleman can
vasser would fear to tread AS rule
the former merely carries a prospec-
us or IL sample sheet of the book with
her. This, of course, can be conceal |
ed or rolled up like a document. She |
calls on bankers, merchants and peo-
pie of leisure. The notice of oped- |
dlers allowed in the building she dis
regards. The janitor, the elevator
boys, the Office clerk or the domestic
can not, of course, tell her
errand, and she is politely ushered
into the presence of the party she
he, Il H..
while the majority of men would have
been unceremoniously denied admit
lance across the outer threshold. Once
N the presence of the boss the lady
Cowper dilates upon the merits of her
book with little fear of rebuff, for
most men have spirit of gallantry
II them; so they listen patiently
whatever they may think-and pos
IDLY order the book. Female can
Tassers are a pretty well-educated
lass. They have beeen school or
music teachers, or they are poor
daughters. In dress they
re neat, not gaudy, and have re-
erved, modest style of manner which
lways commands attention. If she
) middle-aged she is perhaps widow
ldy who lived in Southern atfiuence
efore the war. or forsaken wife, or
n eX-opera singer; and should she
nd the listener in the melting mood,
he will drop q few remarks about {
nancial or domestic troubles. Hun l
reds of Wall street men have met (
lese ladies, and hundreds have or (
cred books from them they never {
AIRED for. or expected to see, purely t
'om feelings of respect, admiration t
r sympathy. q
iflicult article to handle l refer" b
ent on the old canvasser, 'to the v
me they were not so common as o
DIV, when a man had to be well post a
about their working gear and the d
fferent improvements being con- <
antly made. / remember one who n n
as known among the canvassing fra il
rnity as the Bump Man He was 81
Try successful with the machines, II
hich he attributed to his knowledge T.
phrenology, and this will show you IT
@ many devices men resort to in b
nvassing. For instance, if this ii
lump Man should call upon wo- u,
an to solicit her order for sewing al
achine he would, while making Il pc
lie, at intervals break off in the con- al
rsation and look admiringly at her III III
ildren. Then he would say, 'Ex- a a.
Sc me, madame, but l have made va
renology a study in my days ofpros- in
rity and that child has very fine Sc
ad, it will gam some lofty position Ia Ia
the world Then would he, while tic
e mothers eyes lit up with pride, tn
a m inc tho iIlVpnilo's orc mimi, op6 dc
retell for it great success in some tn IN
yh-sounding profession. Praise the wi
lid and capture the mother for blC
stomer, was his saying, and many w
iers he got in this manner "-NeU ~ ~
rk Graphic. di.
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