Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-17
BOOK AGENT FOR A DAY.
EXPERIENCES OF AN EASTERN COL
leGE MAN IN MISSOURI

Stranded In Kansas city He Finds n
Friend Who Initiates Him Into the
Beauties of Selling Books and Making
n Fortune in a Few Years.
Yes, | once figured as a book agent. You
think am joking, but it is a fact, / assure
you. actually represented big publish
ing company for one whole day.
II was In the summer of 1877 | was
stranded in Kansas City and | was awfuily
short OF money. l owed two weeks board,
and was even forced to smoke other fell
lows cigarettes. was that most helpless
of human beings college graduate. and
an eastern one at that. l had no knowl-
edge of business or how to make living,
though had the classics at my fingers
ends. Among other accomplishments
was a graduate of a law school and was
passably familiar with Blackstone and
Kent, but could not have drawn up de
murrer if my life had depended upon it.
l had drifted out west in May with $780,
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 l had given up all
but the business men did not seem to want
me. To the inevitable question, "What
experience have you had in our liner" as
regularly replied, 81 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. | laughed, and told him
l had none. One word led to another, and
l told him the fix was in. He reflected a
moment, and said;
MAKING MONEY WITHOUT CAPITAL.
you are a first rate talker, and have a
good address. ] can show you how to
make money, and you need no capital"
looked incredulous, and noticing it, he
said:
Nov, guess my business"
| suggested that he had the look of a
SPECTATOR, but supposed he was drum
mer.
mo. am a book agent" he replied.
"You peddle booksl' replied, amazed.
Eyes, you may call it that. / sell books,
and make 5000 a year in commissions"
How | remember the hope with which
that man infused me. | became capitalist
In imagination. If he could make 5000, ]
at least could CLEAN 5000 from..a confiding
public.
At last it was all arranged. 1 was to
have a trial. He proposed that take his
samples, and canvass a small town named
Independence, some eight miles from Kan
sas City. II was successful he would Sc
cure me an agency. He said If i sold four
books the first day it would be doing we'll
laughed to myself / felt sure | could
get dozen orders. Never did a youth
start out after fortune with brighter hopes
than | started for Independence that Au-
gust morning to make my initial campaign
as a book agent. Had any of my fashion
able eastern friends suggested such
thing a few months previous l would have
expired with modification. But not a
qualm now. | had found short road to
wealth; the future was assured.
reached Independence and took pre-
liminary survey of the business 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
ly concluded that the president of the bank
was my man.
stalked in. My mentor had particular
ly enjoined me not TO let them bluff me.
You need thick hide in this business"
he said stick to your man. have often
been ordered out of an Office, and then sold
the man a book after all"
Ihad taken this advice to heart and was
ready for snubs.
My first experience was not encouraging.
My banker did not raise his eyes for sew
eral moments after / entered his room. 1t
was very warm day, and the doors were
all open, as is usual in country towns.
sNUBDED.
What do you wanti" he said CURLY.
u 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 | left Twas disheartenad and