Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-09-26
'Not to be Visited Again. &"

Some time ago in the State Of Michigan
a young and enterprising American book
agent was in the country, travelling from
town to town, selling a work called "Ihe
Early Christian Martyrs which he sold at
s. a copy, delivering the book and collect
ing the money as he went along.
He had been two days in certain town,
and had taken a fair number of orders
there when little before noon be called
in a grocery store, where he found the
proprietor alone. The old grocer asked
dim what be had, seeing from his samples
that he was an agent of some kind, lie
replied Il ana taking orders for work
called "The Early Christian Martyrs and
have only a few copies left
The old mans eyes beamed with delight
as be said: lis that sol Why it was only
a lew nights ago my wife and l were talk
in, about that book aud wondering how
we could get il. She wants he book bad,
and so do l." The agent delivered him
copy, and as the old man gave him -
bill in payment, he said: Now, look
here, don't you 60 over to the house and
sell "a copy to my wife, because We only
want one IN tue family
Certainly not, - said the book agent, Il
wouldn't think of such a thing, and bid
ding the old man good morning he left
the store. 1t was then about a quarter 10
twelve, and the train which was to take
him to Chicago started at l2:l5 He said
to himself, Il have just time to sell a copy
to the old lady and get on that train.
So be entered the nearest drugstore and
getting the nome address of the old man
from directory, he at once started there.
OF course he had no difficulty in making
the sale, as she was anxious TO get the
work, and, having received So he made all
haste to catch the train.
The old man came home for dinner at
II o'clock, reaching there not long alter
the book agent had gone. His wife came
towards him smiling and cOngratulatlng
herself upon having secured what see had
for so long wished to possess, copy ct
The Early Christian Martyrs ae did
| not smile, however, put swore angrlly and
muttering something about he would fix
him, hurried out(not stopping tor his din
ner) in the hope of reaching the station
before he train star ed for Chicago, think
ing that the book agent would be sure to
leave town as soon as spossible after this
When he came wiChin two hundred
wards Of the station he saw from the top oi
the hill which sloped down 10 the station
| that the train was on the point of starting,
so, recognizing lliend of his who was
nearly at the bottom of the hill and con
sequently close to the train, he began
gesticulating and shouting to him to stoI
| the book agent. His friend could only
catch the word book agent, so he ap
preached the book agent, who was .smok
ing a cigar on the rear platform of car
| and asked him what the old man on the
hill wanted. The book agent pretended
to scrutinize he figure in the distance, OF
course knowing full well who he wa
and what he wanted; in few moments ht
said. as idea seemed to strike him:
Il know, | know now; that isa custome
Of mine, he wants "a copy of The Early
Christian Martyrs" and like fool never
called on him; forgot him. Ii you want
to do him a good turn" he aided, just a
The train was going to move out you
mad better lake the book from me, and
.iye it to him so he wont be disappoint-
ed The price is So"
The man gave the book agent 50 for hi
friend and took the book and the tran
started for Chicago. As the book agan
leaned beck in his seat, he took a small
book containing a list Of towns and wrot
opposite this town the words; Not L
be visited again"