Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-12-12
THE WOMAN AID. SOLICITOR.
Story Of One Who Was willing to Pay
for Time Taken.

CViy Vi VhO WIN WAC Vhiih6 W Roy
for Time Taken.
The reason why 90 many women fail
as advertising solicitors and agents is
because they have no conception Of the
meaning of the word ''time" as applied
to business people.
There is lots Of money In 1t, more
than in almost any line Of work con-
nected with publishing, and a woman
starting out to make living for her
self in this line of work must come
down to business principles at once and
forget that she was ever entitled to more
courtesy than is shown from man to
man.
A business mans time is counted by
the minutes, each one of which is worth
80 much money to him. When wo-
man, no matter how attractive, makes
her way into his private Office and takes
up 80 much of his valuable time that
he is either compelled TO give her what
she wants or treat her with rudeness
he is not accustomed to doing, she
gains very little in the long run. A
small order given under these circum-
stances, closes the door forever after
against her.
But, on the other hand, II she asks
and is granted an interview, few well
chosen, terse sentences, stating her er-
rand, will, If it does not get the order
at once, make good impression, and,
in all probability. the second visit will
do much more. do not mean that
one visit is to suffice for all time, but
by liberal use Of tact, and constant
remembrance that business man 3
time is worth so much to him. much
may be gained; at all events what one
can not accomplish that way it is al
most impossible to get any other way.
To show exactly my idea, I will re-
late an incident, which was told me,
of busy woman who earned very
fair income by getting advertisements
for one of New York's dsilies.
She had been working at 1t for near
ly six months, when she was told one
day to 60 and see prominent linen
dealer Of Twenty third street and try II
she could get an order from him.
She had heard of him as being a
queer, cantankerous individual and ex-
tremely hard to approach, and she
knew If she stated her errand she would
not be able to see him at all.
So, assuming q confidence she did
not feel, she went boldly up to the store
one morning and seeing aoor walker
stepped up to him and said, in an ''ac.
quaintance of long standing" sort Of
voice: HAS Mr.. c. come down YETI
l have looked all over the store and
can not find him."
"Oh, yes, miss, " the man, answered.
thinking she was an old friend; "he
was in his private Office, over there,
few moments ago."
"Thanks, very much, "she answered,
II will 60 over and see him minute
then," and she walked deliberately
over and into the Office where he was
sitting.
Now she simply trusted to her good
luck to get satisfactory interview,
and, stepping up to the desk, she said,
as sweetly as possible, GOOD morn
ing"
Good morning, young lady. What
do you wantp" he said gruffly.
"Only to speak to you moment il
you are not too busy" she answered
with some trepidation, for he seemed q
very tough customer to begin on.
She had been told before going that
no one else had ever been able to get
anything from him, so it was matter
of pride with her to succeed.
my time is worth IS minute, he
said very decidedly, as if that settled
the question, "and I can not afford to
waste it. Good morning"
She felt that it was now or never.
She had just received her weeks salary
and had it her pocket.
"Very we'll, sir" she answered very
promptly, II will take three minutes
If you please"
Taking out her pocketbook and watch
she put three $5 bills on the desk and
her watch open on top. and sitting
down on chair beside him she began
to talk.
She says he looked up in astonish-
ment, with smile on his face, and
when the three minutes were up by the
watch she had obtained an order for
several weeks, and made q friend Of
him. which stood her in good stead
many q time. OF course he did not
take the money, and she knew that he
would not, but she caught him by her
promptness and did good stroke Of
business.
She said, though, that she would
have paid the money like man II he
had taken 1t, and considered the order
she secured cheap at thst.-Printer's
Anyone who has children will rejoice
with L. B. Mulford, of Plainfield, N. j.
His little boy, five years of age, was