The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-15
that for every book | brought in at the
front door she would throw one gu. at the

that for every book 1 brought in at thu
front door she would throw 0he out at tht
back"
Involuntarily glanced at a lady possess.
ing such decision and strength of character
as to dispose of her husbands possession;
In so summary manner, but she was
serene and smiling. Evidently her threat
was nothing but joke. "Try to think of
some one who would buy book" she OBJ
served to her husband. and together they
g0od-naturedly made out list of three
names with addresses. and presented it te
me, observing, These people can well
afford it, and they will buy to get rid of you,
but If you take them some stirring work
they will be more likely TO buy"
Realizing that perhaps history might not
be my line decided to make one more effort
with it, and on the morrow to make new
departure with something thrilling and
patriotic.
The shades of night were falling as
assembled the last steps for that day and
rang at the last door. | was honestly faint
and weary and must have looked it, for the
lady OF the house, in the pleasautest man.
n. ner possible, asked me to come In and rest.
Il was book agent myself once" she OBJ
served, 'but ON the third day / broke
down-turned into Mysteries in the middle
OF an interview, and | have never tried 1t
since. 1t is very hard for beginners, but
have friend who is making modest for
tune at it, One requires special aptitude
Tor being a book agent, as well as for any
thing else"
L felt that so much kindness and
confidence demanded consideration in re-
turn, so when she assured me that the his
torical work was really more than she could
afford. l did not persist, but sat and lost a
little WEAKNESS in hearing her pleasant COM
misefatiOn.
The next morning [ visited the three
friends or the gentleman interested in his
tory and offered them works suited to their
tastes, but they one and all fastened to
state that times were dull, and books. being
articles OF luxury, were things they would
have to pause before buying. perhaps in
few months" said one gentleman, II may
see my way to buying your books, but at
present l should not feel justified"
And then l Invaded busy Office, whittier
the book agent generally deems it useless
to penetrate. l gently asked whether the
life of - would not prove grateful and
comforting diversion for the leisure mo-
ments OF the workers. One gentleman,
whose kindly expression would have led
any book agent to expect orders by the
gross, hesitated for a moment and then
uttered an inhexble 'No." Another de-
clared that the work l was selling already
adorned his b00kshelyes, and on hearing
that there was still nother book he OBJ
served, well, whatever it Is | have it"
and AS logIcians say 1t Is next TO impossi-
Die TO prove negative l could not galnsay
the statement But 1t was in this Office,
nevertheless, that i secured my first and
last order. A gentleman, who was too busy
to inspect the book. said good-n aturedy.
"Oh, yes; l will subscribe" and in the sud
den joy of making sale l was unbusiness-
ike enough 10 put him down for the cheap
est edition.
The field for lady book-agents has been a
good deal restricted of late years. At one
time IL was the custom to leave books at
houses when dollar was paid, and the
promise that the same sum should be forth
coming monthly till the work was paid for.
With such shifting population as ours this
system was found to bS distinct loss to the
various publishing firms that practiced It,
and was therefore abandoned At present
the agent generally carries sample copies
merely, she'takes signed order from the
would be purchaser and the firm delivers
the book and collects payment.
Most agents either retire after few days
disguised with their efforts to force books
upon an unwilling world or they continue
pluckily, learning just where TO 60 how to
push their wares, and are coon in a position
to purchase houses and lots. There are in
divldual agents who have sold as much as a
hundred thousand dollars worth Of one
work alone; needless to say they were we'll
yersed in the contents OF the books they
sold.
Book agents may sometimes be trouble
some and hard to resist, but they have done
a good work in this country, nevertheless.
They have frequently aroused an interest
in history and science that would otherwise
have lain dormant. We owe more of our
interest in education to the book agent
than we are in the habit of realizing
MARIE EVELYN.