The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-10-26

Have you heard Of the latest scheme in ped
ding? Not only does the heightened book
agent and canvasser have boy along with
him to carry the samples, whom he judicious-
ly leaves outside while he valiantly invades
your sanctum, or your store. but he offers
special inducements to government officials if
they will permit him to use their names. At
least so / was informed by a man whose
good fortune it is to hold fat official berth.
Said he, 81 was surprised to-day when
rather gentlemanly looking stranger entered
and with the salute good morning, Mr.. B.
addressed me by name as if he knew me quite
we'll did not mind it for he was appar-
emily a man of social standing. Without
waiting for me to interrogate him he started
a perfect fusilade ON the merits of the many
very fine art collections in the United States,
celebrating his statement into quite little
grafton lasting two or three minutes should
say. Book, agents Well, yes. But he was
about the last man should have suspected
of being a canvasser. Had he carried
bundle or anything of that kind might have
had my suspicious aroused. l scarcely saw
the relevancy of his remarks and was won
dering why in thunder he was talking thus
if he was not book canvasser in disguise
Yet, where were his instruments of tor
ture where his implements of warfares
had not long to wonder. While
still talking he stepped back to the
door ana signaled as if to somebody waiting
and watching outside A boy perhaps Is
years old appeared bearing one of those great
big portfolios which have grown SO familiar
to all of us. He was indeed a canvasser-all
pretended friendship, all disguise thrown to
the winds. Almost before I was aware of it
he had taken possession of my desk. with in
imitable cheek had planted his portfolio upon
it. and turning over and over the leaves
turned on again his avalanche of oratory.
It was the old old story so familiar to all
of us in regard to the publication of the finest
collection of master pieces of the celebrated
artists of Europe, to be issued in monthly
parts, at the extremely low subscription price
of 81 per month.
The agent then proceeded to palliate his Of
Tense by offering his work at half-price with
an etching thrown in, as he wanted to get all
the names of government officials as subscri b
ers that he could, for the effect of the list on
less elevated fellows. In looking over the
list noticed and recognized the signatures
of great number of officeholders who had
bitten at the bait so artfully rendered them.
So
It is said that DR.. Platiss is to he Frank
Sanborn's successor as guardian of the states
pauper insane
The fortnightly exposure of something rot
ten in the city government concerns the sewer
department this time. It is charged with
buying bricks at high prices of favored
firm. An enormous Doodle has been thrown
into the pockets of the electric light contrac-
tors for years with little said about it. The
city pays about 40 per cent more than the
service is worth
There will be opposition in the city gov
eminent to letting the state have the 'reser-
yoir" lot on Beacon hill for its state house ex-
tension for Sl5O,OOC. When the state secures
the property, it is expected that the street
railroad company will have its own way
bout making cutting across the bill SO as
TO run its cars over and relieve its fremont
street lines
CHARLES CALVIN.