Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-05-15

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George rang the bell at another
house.
Just at this time it happened that
he was paying attentions to a young
lady of his acquaintance. He was most
anxious to place himself high in her
esteem, and he was thus far doubtful
of his success. Imagine his suss
prise and CONSERVATION when the door
was opened by no other than ths,
young lady herself.
Good morning, Mr.. Ouirk," said
she, graciously. She did not see his
sample copy. ST suppose you want
to see Miss Ernst"
"Yes-that is, no-I guess I do.
Who is Miss Ernst?"
'Why, she lives here" returned his
friend, in surprise. SIS it not she
whom you wish to see? Did you want
to speak to me? How did you know !
was here?"
Qulrk was so nervous that he could
scarcely reply intelligibly.
81 don't want either of Won particu.
larly. You see L represent Popper's
Gazette, and 1 am soliciting subscrip.
tons"
1t may be wondered that Quirk did
not invent some yarn and retreat as
gracefully as possible. He would, as.
suredly, have done so but for the fact
that no plan was suggested to him at
the time. Miss Welton, for that was
the young lady's name, replied with
GOODNESS and reserve, "Indeed, Mr..
! Quirk ! did not know that you were
an agent. You told me that you were
studying to enter college. L might
have known better than to believe it. 4"
When Miss Welton originally ap.
peared at the door. she had stepped
welcomingly aside to allow him to come
in. Now, she moved forward again,
to bar his admittance.
"You see L am not in earnest about
this matter, Miss Welton."
"You are not? Then you are no
gentleman.
81 know I'm not. L am O peddler.
say am peddler."
81 heard you. Is there anything
more you want? I don't care for your
Gazette, and as you have deceived me
don't know that L wish to keep my
engagement with you tomorrow even.
ing. Understand me. Mr.. Quirk,
have nothing to say against your voca.
ton. Had you told me that you were
a canvasser, would not have let that
interfere with our friendship; but 1 do
not like your deliberately telling me q
falsehood.
'But you see, Miss Welton, I am
not really an agent, only pretending. 4"
"Quite baby yet," said the young
lady, sarcastically and doubtingly.
81 suppose you know" said Mr..
Quirk, trying hard to ignore the
dig" "that 1 fam afflicted with ner-
vousness and sensitiveness. I went
to Doctor Conrad Schmitdeil and he
prescribed q canvassing tear as rem
edy. Don't see you? He says can
vassers are insulted so much that they
don't mind it, and thus are cured Of
their trouble"
"Oh, yes, see, Mr.. Quick. Why
didn't you soy SO before? Won't you
come in?"
This time the door was thrown wide
open. Miss Ernst was brought for
ward, the two were introduced, and
the trio spent pleasant hour, during
all about his canvassing, his sensitive
ness and all.
He was quickly reminded of it after
bidding his friends good-by. Once
upon the street, the recollection of his
errand came upon him.
Wearily he rang doorbell after door,
bell and produced his copy of the Ga
zette. The reply was invariably re-
fusal to subscribe, and was usually
accompanied by sighting speech il
not an actual insult. Fatigue overlook
the unused canvasser, but he was pom
dering too deeply to mind it much.
At noon he had taken lunch in a
dispirited sort of way, and all the after.
noon he had had the blues. At about
five o'clock, to his supreme amazement,
he secured subscription. Soon after,
he gave up work for the day.
The experience was kept up until
the end of the week, and each day was
repetition of the first as regards in.
suits, gibes and sneers.
On Saturday Quirk dropped in on
Doctor Schmitdeil.
"Good evening, DOCTOR" said he,
cordially. "Shake hands. I can now
talk nationally. Get me one of your
testimonial blanks at once"
The doctor grasped the hand of his
patient.
''How vas dot canvassing businesses
"Call me fool, DOCTOR" said Quirk.
'You vas been fool, Mr.. Quirk."
''Thank you, doctor, thank you'll 1t
is perfectly clear that have entirely
losta my sensitiyeness. If you had
called me that last week, I'd have had
fit"
"Vas dot SO? I daut mineself you
vas not shust as you might be ven you
called me on. But dot is q great
scheme"
''Say, DOCTOR" said Quirk, winking,
'get your hat; it is my treat