Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-11
A HINT FOR NORTHERN TRAVELLERS.
"Lapping" Books No Longer Pays OF
Southern Railroad Trains.

I'VE don't lap any more books.
said a clipper newsboy at the Central
depot last night. Truth is we lost so
many that way till we just can't ford
it. don't know for certain who first
started such doings. but some of the
boys say it was Bill McAfee on the
Richmond and Danville road. Bound
for Billy; he's always starting some
thing he don't know nothing about.
Old Billy is leader for all that. The
way that scamp can persuade the
women into buying books is a sin and
a shame. Amt no use in talking; he
can just do it; that's all. | heard some
of the boys telling how about Billy's
tapping of books worked the first day
he fell on to the scheme. People looked
wild when they saw the butch thGow
ing all sorts of books into their laps
without asking a cent for 'em. Twas
all Billy could do TO hold in when the
women would look up and smile and
say thankee.' But they changed their
tune when he passed through the car
to collect fares on 'em. Every body
was so interested reading the books
that they wouldn't stop, and they
flung out the little twenty-fves and
tifties like shot out of shovel. Some
of the women didn't have the change.
and they was mighty sorry they'd
started to read the books. They'd
blush and look like they wanted to
borrow the funds.
| Tapping worked splendid them
times, but she's changed now. People
are in the habit of getting off with the
books. We lost anything that way?
No, stree. Many is the one that's got
off with my books, but made it I'D on
the next man. 'Twon't do to get left.
Talking about reading people. I've
always been mighty successful at it. |
can tell preacher or lawyer every
fire Oh. YES / always have bound
books for their sort. | slipped one
time, though. 1t was this way: The
company had purchased lot of cheap
books, How to Cure Diseases of the
Mind and Body and as they was a
hard stock we boys was allowed double
'commish' on 'em. | had one left, and
was mighty anxious to dispose Of her.
She was clean and neat, but she just
wouldn't 90. One day coming out of
Macon, espied little dried up man,
WIFI httiL <tHNl
eyes. He had the littlest hands | ever
seen, and legs and feet accordingly.
set him down for a countryman. |
made bold to tackle him. Here's the
last one | have in stock. said to him.
Better take it if you need anything of
tie kind [ argued; this is the only
one in print. Country people don't
have to send for a doctor when they
have this work The little man looked
up at me sorter tired and said mildly:
You little rascal! If you don't 90
away from me I'll throw you out that
window | turned up my lip at the
little old countryman and walked out.
When we reached Atlanta the depot
was crowded with people, and they
kept up such whoopin' an hollerin'
when the train stopped. | poked my
head out to see what was the matter
Would you believe it, they had this
little countryman by the hands, and
looked like they'd go plum crazy about
him. l got sorter uneasy, and I eased
up to the conductor and asked him who
the countryman was and he said: Look
heah, boy, don't You know Gov. Alex.
Stephens?' "-ANnetG Journal.