The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-09
BOOK AGENT FOR A DAY.
EXPERIENCES OF AN EASTERN COL
LEGE MAN IN MISSOURI.

Stranded in Kansas City He Finds
Friend Who Initiates Him Into the
Beauties Of Selling Books and Making
Fortune in q Few Years.
Yes, once figured as book agent You
think am joking, but it is a fact, assure
you. 1 actually represented big publish
ing company for one whole day.
It was in the summer of 1877. was
stranded in Kansas City and Twas axfaay
short of money. owed two weeks beard
and 1 was even forced to smoke other fell
lows cigarettes. was that most helpless
of human beings college GRADUATES, and
an eastern one at that. 1 had noiknowl-
edge of business or how to make living,
though l had she classics at my fingers
ends. Among other accomplishments I
was graduate OF law school and was
passably familiar with Blackstone and
Kent, but l could not have drawn up de-
murrer if my life had depended upon it.
had drifted out west in May with $500,
and an intention of locating and growing
up with the country. l struck Kansas,
but not the Kansans. August found me
in Kansas City with scarcely any money
left, and too much pride to write home for
more. By that time had given up all
idea of law. wanted business position,
but the business men did not seem to want
me. To the inevitable question, what
experience have you had in our line?" as
regularly replied, az have not had any,"
and then the interview came to a sudden
close.
One evening found myself in converse
ton with fine looking man in the Office
Of the St. James hotel. He wore a silk hat
and diamond solitaire in his cravat, and
everything about him smacked of prosper
ity. He asked me finally what was my
line of business. I laughed, and told him
had none. One word led to another, and
told him the fix was in. He reflected
moment, and said:
MAKING MONEY WITHOUT CAPITAL.
"You are first rate talker, and have
good address. l can show you how to
make money, and you need no capital"
looked incredulous, and noticing it, he
said:
"Now, guess my business"
l suggested that he had the look of
speculator, but l supposed he was drum
mer.
"No. 1 am book agent" he replied
"You peddle booksr' replied, amazed
eyes, you may call it that. 1 sell books.
and make 5000 year in commissions"
How l remember the hope with which
that man infused me. l became acapitalist
in imagination. If he could make $1,000,
at least could CLEAN So, 600 from Astounding
public.
At last it was all arranged. 1 was to
have trial. He proposed that I take his
samples, and canvass a small town named
Independence, some eight miles from Kan
sas City. If 1 was successful he would Sc
cure me an agency. He said if | sold four
books the first day it would be doing well.
l laughed to myself. l felt sure l could
get a dozen orders. Never did youth
start out after fortune with brighter hopes
than / started for Independence that Au-
gust morning to make my initial campaign
as book agent. Had any of my fashion,
able eastern friends suggested such a
thing a few months previous l would have
expired with modification. But not a
qualm now. l had found short road to
wealth; the future was assured.
l reached Independence and took apre-
liminary survey of the busfness,street> My
guide and benefactor had given me some
points. "The great thing" he said, twas
to get the first order-some prominent,
leading citizen. His name once on your
book you could show it to others.and they
would follow suit"
So | gave some thought to this, and final
~ concluded that the president of the bank
was my man.
l stalked in. Ny mentor had particular
~ enioined me not to let them bluff me-
you need thick hide in this business"
be said; stick to your man. ! have often
been ordered out of an Office and then sold
the man book after ALL"
had taken this advice to heart and was
ready for snubs.
My first experience was notencouraging.
My banker did not raise his eyes for sew
eral moments after l entered his room. 1t
was a very warm day, and the doors were
all open, as is usual in country towns. Z
sNUBBED.
"What do you wantf" he said CURLY.
81 represent the - Publishing COM
pany," began
''Never buy books
'But Just let me show you" persisted.
'Now, you just leave, you hearP' and he
stood up.
was abashed, and did not stand on
ceremony. l left. Twas disheartened, and
1t took me twenty minutes 10 screw up
courage enough 20 make another visit. /
consoled myself with the thought, they
can't all be like this man.
next called on lawyer Quite a differ
e1t kind of man. Courtesy itself He
asked me 10 be seated and chatted pleas
antly. He was in no hurry; not a bit of
1t. lie went through the book from cover
TO cover, looked at every picture. admired
and praised the work, and then said be
would not subscribe because the follow
ing week he intended to remove TO Ore
gon. This left no room for argument and
left.
And so it was. l called on every bust
ness man in the town. All had excuses,
but no orders did ! get. The thermom-
eter stood at 90 in the shade About
O'Clock gave up the task and boarded q
train for Kansas City.
When ! entered my book agents noon
he roared at my Disguised and discouraged
look.
Perhaps some one has been ahead Of
you," he sad, ''and perhaps it is a very bad
time for bookselIing. / viii try il to-
morrow myself" Il
He did, and the next night he showed me
seven orders from men whom had labored
with in vain he tried 20 get me 70 try
some other town, but WIS not TO be per
suaded l had had enough. photographed
home, and three days later left the LIS
souri, river valley forever,
So you see was a book agent for one
day.-New York Herald
Where Hens Come From.
Il is not definitely known where our do
nestle bird halls from The nearest sp-
proach 10 Il. In Wild state, Is found in