The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-15
Marie Evelyn Canvasses
for Purchasers.
SHE MEETS MANY PEOPLE
They Do Not Want Literature, Are
Too Busy, or Have Already Sub
scribed for the Work.

pie thirsting for the knowledge that the
volumes was carrying were warranted to
give.
The firm that had supplied the books had
also the complaisanee to throw in gratis
little varied information as TO the ways and
means of proceeding practced by lady book
agents.
House to house vsitations are seldom
successful to the vender of literary wares.
People will buy their fruit and their fish at
the door, 10 a promiscuous sort of way. be-
cause it is cheap and handy. but a new
book is like the picture of saint at a Rus
sian falr-it always has its price. The
ordinary householder does not care to give
hastily, on his doorstep, an order for a
work that he can buy equally we'll at his
leisure in cOmm0dious store. The book
agent who has learnt the wiles of her craft
knows her customer and the wares where
with to tempt him before she shows her
book, and spreads her net for an order.
This spreading her net is by no means so
easy as one might imagine who merely
hears book agent talk, and is never
called upon to change places and dispose OF
BOOKS herself.
MANY ladies take up the book business
as temporary expedient," the gentleman
who was furnishing my wares observed.
Some OF them are successful and make
regular profession Of It; others become dis
couraged and give up. A good agent can
either command a salary or a commission"
and he had gone on to intimate that II |, as
a novice, could get an order within twenty
four hours a fixed weekly allowance might
be offered
The discovery of a person who only re-
quires little persuasion TO be induced to
invest In costly and solid work Of standard
literature Is not an easy task. A would-be
book agent naturally reflects. IN n 6Quht
there exist in San Francisco people blessed
with both money and brains, who could be
talked into buying the work l represent, but
to find one of them is like looking for the
prOver5ial needle in the bundle of hay.
My first plunge was into the study OF a
gentleman as much noted for his courtesy
as for bis scholarship. Look at new
historical wOrk?" he observed, with gen.
ial smile. Certainly, / will look at it, but
the worst of it is that fear you will want
me to buy it," / mOdestly intimated that
the work was indeed being exhibited as
temptation TO him to purchase, and his
geniaty did not abate one whit; evidently
he was used to the wiles of the book agent
and knew how TO resist them firmly but
not unkindly. Iie represented, almost
apologeficaIly. that he already possessed a
large library and had not time to read the
books therein contained, and said that
though he subscribed to three newspapers
bis wife was the only one who perussd
them.
An experienced book agent is never
moved by such tale of woe. Persistence,
and then again persistence, and after that
persistence. is the secret OF her success
She can cry her wares up to the point of
making other people either believe in them,
too, or else she can make people despair
ingly purchase them TO get rid OF her. Blu!
beginner is apt to reent just when she
is on the point of victory.
The next gentleman interviewed was a
man with so solid literary taste that it
scorned the historical delicacy tried to sell
him. Your work is not deep enough" he
observed; lit treats history but superb
cially." and ne went on to name other works
more worthy of consideration, taking care
to add, however, that he already possessed
them. There was no prospect of a sale. so
withdrew and carried the despised volume
Indeed | cannot afford it," she exclaimed
hastily and frankly II have been induced
to subscribe to so many things. No; it is
not the least use showing me the book. | as
sure yon." But in spite of this prayer |
unfo;ded nv wares and spread them tempt-
ingiy before her, remembering that II Eve
had peyer been persistently offered the
apple she would probably have ended her
days in the garden OF Eden. The lady was
modern Eve. however, and counted
more wary since the days OF our
first mother. II would buy il could, but
/ cannot afford il, she reiterated, and as
was totally unacquainted with her means
and the claims upon it. | could not argue
with her otherwise than by paraphras-
ing and representing in glowing colors some
Of the sage little precepts we learn in our
copy-books TO the effect that Learning is
better than riches"
Many people will get rid of a persistent
book agent by sending her elsewhere. and
the lady who did not purchase my history
n frtQnd
to whom history more or less could not
fail to be a mere drop In the ocean OF her
expenditure.
The wealthy lady's house was very high.
the steps to it very long, and half way up |
was met by the notice. no peddlers." Re-
treat, however, seemed ridiculous after GO
ing so far, so carefully ayeIted my eyes
from the sign and passed on. feeling sure
that even the legend mo peddlers" does
not terrify the book agent.
at the door paused, breathless, and rang.
Ne one responded to the summons. l rang
on. finally arriving at the conclusion that
every one was out, or else that the inhab-
itants OF the house had reconnoitered
through the blinds, and seeing the book
fend on the doorstep-for my wares ind-
Gated my occupati0n-they had judiciously
decided TO avoid an encounter by letting me
ring myself weary.
The lady L next visited was a school
teacher OF pronounced literary tendencies.
She did not at all object to seeing the books.
indeed encouraged me 10 unpaek them, and
admired the binding and printing. 1T
looks interesting" she observed, dipping
aifiy into one OF the volumes. At last | was
going to make O sale. She was evidently
interested and listened patiently while |
expatiated In terms, rendered eloquent
by hope, upon the vast stores of in
formation pleasingly conveyed by the
volume she was inspecting. l was tempted
to compare 1t to sugared pill, but felt that
the smile might not be a happy one. And
how much does 1t cost?" she asked. In my
joy at finding a purchaser | was almost
tempted to offer the work to her at 90 per
cent discount; but, remembering in time
that this would form shockingly bad pre-
cedent, / pointed silently to the price list
Instead OF clinchng the bargain on the
spot the lady tossed her head contemptu.
ously. exclaimiDg in tones that were almost
tragic: "All that? Oh, | do not want the
book at all Very likely l should not read
it, anyway" The disappointment was too
much. l silently picked up my wares and
departed. realizing the instability OF earthly
hopes.
THE missls is out. and II she were In
don't think she would want book, but she
might anyway" 1t was kind-heartsd
help who gave me this piece Of informa-
ton at the door OF neat little house where
bad rung the bell on speculation. "Ihe
missis' mother Is i'll in bed, so You could
NV eco anu tuctc w ONO oioc III
the house but myself" continued the good
natured girl. too polite to shut the door in
my face and quite unable TO wait in silence.
while l hesitated and wondered toward
which point of the compass should next d.
rect my steps. "Cai again, and good luck to
you. was her parting greeting as L went
toward the gate, and somehow the unex-
pected sympathy did me almost as much
good as an order for book would have done.
Surely in all this long street there must
be some one who will welcome the mission
airy Of history" l reflected. Nothing but
a little determination is required" Alas.
before / had canvassed one side OF the
street l realized that missionaries, like
apostles, and martyrs. are not always appre-
| 'ciated. People had their own occupations
and the pursuit OF history did not seem to
axtad nm caid 4, tinn LIZ