Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-03-09

Just at this time it happened that
he was paying attentions to q 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 doos
was opened by no other than TIKI
young lady herself.
Good morning, Mr.. Ouirk," said
she, graciously. She did not see his
sample copy. 'I 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. els it not she
whom you wish to seeP Did you want
to speak to me? How did you know l
was here?"
Quirk was so nervous that he could
scarcely reply intelligibly.
81 don't want either of Won particu.
larly. You see L represent Peppers
Gazette, and 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..
Quirkl l did not know that you were
an agent. You told me that you were
studying to enter college. 1 might
have known better than to believe it."
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 | am not in earnest about
this matter, Miss Welton."
"You are not? Then you are no
gentleman"
81 know I'm not. I am q peddler.
say l am peddler."
81 heard you. Is there anything
more you want? 1 don't care for your
Gazette, and as you have deceived me
L don't know that 1 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
canvasser, would not have let that
interfere with our friendship; but I do
not like your deliberately telling me O
falsehood.
'But you see, Miss Welton, I am
not really an agent, only pretending. "
"Quite baby yet," said the young
lady, sarcastically and doubtingly.
81 suppose you know" said Mr..
Quirk, trying hard to ignore the
dig" "that I Jam afflicted with ner-
vousness and sensitiveness. I went
to Doctor Conrad Schmitdeil and he
prescribed canvassing toar as a 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"
ooh, yes, I see, Mr.. Quick. Why
didn't you say 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
which time Quirk managed to forget
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 O
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
a 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 dol canvassing business?"
"Call me fool, DOCTOR" said Quirk.
"You vas been fool, Mr.. Quirk."
'"Thank you, doctor, thank you'll It
IS perfectly clear that I have entirely
losta.my sensitiveness. If you had
called me that last week, I'd have had
a fit"
''Vas dot SO? I daut mineself YOU
vas not shust as you might be ven you
called me on. But dot is a great
scheme"
''Say, DOCTOR" said Quirk, winking.
get your hat; it is my treat"
The doctor swung his chair around
and touched an electric bell.
"It vas nodt necessary" said he.
81 always have such dings convenient
| b., TT