The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-30
THE BILL COLLECTOR.
Written for The Appeal
M, an aallaotn. "a IL .o,J N ot,oo.

Written for The Appeal.
am collector-it is said a successful
one. | never questioned those who told
me 80, consequently am not prepared to
say whether their motive was stand
off for more time, or whether they
merely loved the sound OF their own
voices. | have often been asked TO give
the "modus operandi," but shrunk from
placing myself before the public in con-
spicuous manner, knowing also the diff
Guilty in writing what is 80 diversified, yet
essential, in bringing the business to a
successful issue.
To say do not make people mad some.
times is superfluous; 1t is impossible to
avoid that. II business man appoints
day and hour TO settle my claim, 81 am
sure TO be on hand" and then he gets Off
the hooks because / am prompt | let
him take il out in trade, as take IL that
good business man will always under
stand and appreciate a business engage.
ment and never dream Of being offended.
A collectors life is never happy one at
best. Exposed TO all sorts OF weather,
continually on the go. bearing disappoint-
ment and broken promises, etc, heroic
ally, he becomes martyr in his way. i
don't think ! approach any two men ex-
actly in the same way. Some get offended
when they see you getting out your bill,
others will wait until they look IL over,
and then ask II you are In hurry for your
money. have collected money on the
street. at the dinner aud supper table and
on Sundays, yet retain the friendship OF
the same parties; have had men to tell me
on the street they were ready To settle a
statement, and TO meet them ut their
office, and in one instance ! collected the
amount in four minutes after seeing my
man on the street.
have been ut n mill in Chelsea Mt ll:45
O'Clock n. M, and at IL o'clock m. at a
merchants house on Main, near Beale,
because he named noon rs tho hour for
payment OF course, | got my money;
have had parties TO name an hour for
meeting, and found them out when
called. never take q puton indefinitely.
try always 10 get the parlyto name n day
and hour, aud when they fail TO give the
latter, generally 20 in the morning. l
regard the engagement as u purely bust
ness one, and treat II rs such, always TAX
ing il for granted that the other side re-
members the appointment and will abide
by II himself Should he not, remind
him Of II, giving him 10 understand | re-
lied on him and fulfilled my part OF the
agreement, aud he would be poor bust
ness man II he took oiicnsc mt my prompt
ness. Refinement, intelligence aud judg-
ment arc Indispensable requisites TO sue
cess.
II my brethren will pay attention to one
or two pointers shall give, their lot may
bo made happier one. Never press
woman for payment, or your name will be
"Mud." Give her 305 days. Never 90
into an Office after money without leaving
the door open for convenience sake, es-
pccially in cases where the landmarks aro
familiar TO you, for during these degoner-
alto times II Is the custom TO introduce
shoemakers 10 tailors with undue cere-
mony. Should il become necessary TO hit
n man more than once per day, do II ~
carefully as Is convenient 10 your inner
nature, taking care 10 cuss under your
breath, that your second self may not
catch on.
II there IL a heaven, brethren, we will
get there. with or without the traditional
wings, having earned II 10y our suilerings
here below. whore man wants and needs
but little, and where collectors fail 10 get
even that.