Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-01-06
HOW TO SELL BOOKS.
EMBRYONIC AGENTS INITIATED INTO
THE MYSTERIES.

constantly bothered by the perennial book
agent know that the patient. glib indiyid
ual who rattles on the stereotyped address
the instant the door rs opened to him or her
has studied and practiced his Grafton a.
carefully As the prima donna does her aria
or the elocutionist his recitation. Such Ia
the fact nevertheless, and, stranger still,
there are several places in town where reg
ular classes for the training OF canvassers
are held. and where they learn TO declaim
their patter with what the instruction cir
culars given them call dramatic effect"
The writer went yesterday to visit a
friend whose Office Ii In certain great
building down town and found his door
closed and decorated with gone TO
lunch" sign. While she impatiently pa
trolled the corridor waiting for him to re-
turn she heard queer sounds proceeding
from door ut the other end and staid her
steps TO listen.
II have here, ladies and gentlemen" said
a pleasant voice with very perfect intona-
tion. "a most wonderful book-one which
you will never get chance TO buy again.
Splendid illustrations, good type, perfect
binding; 1t Is indeed gem there dramatic
pause). and the price Is only 1910"
For about 10 minutes longer the voice
continued 10 talk rapidly In tins same strain.
anu tutu hfttf ~ tuOintHt tlltNtt some
one else took up the parable.
.'Stopr' cried the first voice, you can do
better than that"
The second voice began again. and after
several more failures carried IL to a sue
cessful termination.
"NextP' was called, and the performance
commenced again with a trembling, quaver-
ing apology for q voice trying to carry the
burden.
The door of the room from which the
voices came was Of frosted glass, Of course,
but the letters forming the name of the
company were clear, so applying her eye
TO the largest capital the writer obtained
a coveted look into the mysterious cham
Der. Seated along the side opposite the
door were about 20 people Of both sexes
and nearly every grade Of eocial life,
from the pert young maiden fresh from the
school to the tired teacher anxious to make
| n living during the summer months, and
the careworn man who had failed In all
the other ways OF working possible TO him
In front Of them stood the owner of the
pleasant voice, tall, good looking fellow
OF 30 or thereabouts, and as each member
Of the class In turn recited the foregoing he
reproved. commended and encouraged
them. Occasionally one would be told To
study the circular more thoroughly, and
after listening to the others try again, and
sometimes the instructor would remark:
| ''That'll do. You're all right"
| Every pupil seemed to be In dead earnest,
and one or two chung to their prospectus
with a frantic grip born of despair Some
recited with great boldness and confidence.
others blushed and stammered, and for
each and all the leader had an encouraging
word.
Later, her business outside completed
the writer boldly entered the book compa
ny's room and stated her desire 70 see some
of the people who advertised for agents. A
courteous gentleman showed her several
books, gave terms and advised her as to her
selection.
| Most young ladies do better In the bust.
ness Offices, " he said. "but you, l think, had
better keep to the houses and deal witt,
ladies. (The writer Is not gifted with per
sonal beauty As to experience, yon
study this little booklet and practice ON
some friend or relative" and reckoning to
the class leader he turned the seeker after
information over TO him.
| II think you would make a good can
vasser," this gentleman remarked cheer
fully az beginning. your manner Il
pleasant, and your hands are small and
L
acter. and | know you possess determine.
ton"
But have no experience she suggested
"and ! don't know how to get IL. Shall
go into the business on the hit or miss plan
and try to gain iti"
"Oh, by no means, smiled her listener
you could not do worse. You study the
circular we give you and then como down
here, and we'll help you. You shall try q
sell US book, and we will try to sell you
one"
"0h, do you have regular classs" ex,
claimed the writer impulsively and as Il
proved very unwisely. for her adviser CAV,
her keen look and ceased talking Eyi
IDENTIFY that class was a trade secret, not Il
be parted with until sure Of the agent
Hastily collecting a lot Of circular pam
phlets and letters OF advice to agents tn,
suddenly silent man crammed them int,
the outside pocket Of the supposed employ
ment seekers satchel, and advising her :,
read them all carefully before selecting
book to solicit for babe her a brief ''gooS
morning" and returned 20 his desk.
And truly those little booklets mad
funny reading Some of them had strong
family resemblance to that famous OLD
recipe for cooking hare which began
First catch your hare" Between tn
covers OF those instructions" were founs
directions for everything In the way Of can
wasting. from the best manner In which /.
attract the attention Of a probable buyer
excite his curiosity and leave IL still unsat
isficd, down to such minor points as "keel
your linen clean and your shoes Away
bright and freshly blacked," battle fre
quently and be sure your breath Is swee
and your teeth Clean and .if you chew %
bacco do so In private and rinse your moutl
afterward."
The prospective book agent was instruct
ed how to get into the best houses, how b
stay there when once inside. how 10 acquir
the admiration of ladies and how to use an
personal magnetism he might possess. Tn
ladies were told how TO dress 30 as to com
mand the best and most respectful atteI
ton. and one and all were repeatedly urge
to .'come to the Office when ready To start
and we will give you final instructions
which may be worth millions ummens
capitals) to YOU
This last bit Of sadvice might be good
follow In case one really wanted TO aaor
the calling Of lady book agent, but II wi
be cold day when the writer goes theF
again, and she shivers 20 think what Nigh
happen should that pleasant, insinuatin
class leader (who, according to the advel
tisement of his firm. treats all beginner
with ''fatherly kindness'il discover tbs
) his carefully guarded secret has becom
! common property. Chicago Tribune.