New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-21
ONE DAY As BOOK CANTASSER.
THE EXPERIENCE OF BACHELOR MAID
IN FINDING WORK

Four bachelor maids were exchanging stories Of
their early experiences IN wsge-earnlng. and the
literary set down her teacup with reminis-
cent laugh when II came her turn.
II had always declared" she said that would
take in back stairs 10 scrub before I would cam
vass but necessity overcomes every prejudice. and
started OF, morning carrying sample copy
OF The Literature OF All Ages IN 4 supposed-to-
be inconspicuous black cloth bag. II seemed to
my nervous consciousness that It had the word
Agent" blazoned on II IN letters OF fire.
In the first parlor I entered the only book
visible was plush album. Seeing that knew
without looking what else tho room contained.
The chenille table covers. the manipulated man.
tel-scarf. the sooty crayon portraits in brassy
frames all there My intended victim had.
she Informed me. great taste for reading but
after going through all the newspapers she could
borrow from her fellov-,enants. found little time
for consuming other literature.
MY sister that's dead terrible hand for
books. though she added. There's a whole set
OF Shakespeare in the closet. but don't care
much for Shakespeare myself did subscribe once
for a book the religious order
IN answer 70 a remark OF mine. she said she
had heard OF Dickens. but hadn't read none
OF him \ portrait OF Byron impressed her
deeply. and l began TO have hopes Huxley. how
ever. she thought fearful plain. and after look
ing at all the pictures and reading some Of the
scribe.
AT the next three or four places the people had
good and sufficient reasons for not availng them
selves OF the unique and wonderful opportunity
l offered them and 20 tell the truth, the more
positively they refused the more respected them.
At one house stout black-eyed woman
ceedingly sociable for hall hour or more. in
spite OF the fact that she had sick child up
stairs. She told ne about all the diseases her
children had had. about her husbands business,
and discoursed long on the senshness Of her
seventeen-year-old daughter, who liked 20 read
novels and play the piano on washing mornings.
The day was Monday and felt real sympathy
her mother aided with a stranger
why didn't | stick 70 business Oh did;
wnen she talked OF the children urged the edu-
catonal value OF the book but all in vain. She
hadn the least idea OF subscribing and didn't
expect TO live long, anyway. she added;
swered opening the book BOOK 70 Thsnatopss. this
In the next house an old woman fierce in face
ana frizz ed OF hair. acclaimed against all books.
We've got more books n we've got room for
now she declared. an as for the ehildren. they
see a book outside OF school | fool enough
% get book called the Story OF the Bible once.
d Tgs got copy Of bout the Ta9 0s 81 Be Msss
the use Of botherin' with people that are dead an
gone? Now can you get Interested in resdn' the
Bible? You can. en- w,n a sharp distrustful
glance. We'll. | can't get anything out OF H. one
part contradcts another I'LL you don't know what
with a portrait or Phillips Brooks 10 aid me I
/ turned missionary for few minutes. sold no
book but perhaps the visit we not fruitless FOR
/ all that During the morning told one woman
| how make a soup out Of cold baked beans. and
| advised another 10 try matted milk for her sickiy
baby. Not single order did get. and further
/ up the street. where the people were Of a better
| class. but not half so interesting. my success was
! equally poor.
! "One old woman nearly blind. seemed glad 20
have some talk 20. and a dear tttle BOY
! brought his Robinson Cr,sOe' for me 70 see. one
woman did show promptly 70 the door with
! naughty II you please madam and heard he'
tell the servant not 70 admit strange women As
| had put my best hat and gown the maids
failed TO detect the agent in my prosperous ap-
pearance. but when woman told ne she once
! took a book OF pity :or the young lady selling
II. I wondered II / mad not made mistake IN
dressing 50 well.
| I learned 10 have an answer ready tor every
objection. and assured a French woman, whose
children spoke no English. that this book was lust
the thing introduce them 70 the CONS or Eng,
| not one name my order book and was con-
vfnced that my dislike for the business. together
| with my inability 10 people that ! knew
their business better than they did. would prevent
my ever succeeding in that line.
Good fortune. In the shape OF regular Work on
| a weekly came the next day and my nrst attempt
! a, canvassing was. am thankful 70 say. my las,
/ zone bit OF profit | did make. though, out OF
that DAYS work You remember ny story OF Mrs.
Ciackit in The Mine King" | drew the character
| from that Cabling woman who wasted my tln,a
! and hers while she complained OF ner causnIe'
ffa