New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-16
" GOOD WORDS"
HOW THEY MAY BE MADE TO BEAR
HEAVY INTEREST.

HEAVY INTEREST.
Believers in the good old practice Of getting
something for nothing have perhaps considered
OF late that they have fallen upon evil days
Your modern man is vigilant He insists upon
your giving him something for the thing
you want; If you can be lured into giving
him a little more than It is worth, so much
the better. But here and there an altru-
stc soul still fingers. Now Barabbas was a
publisher" quoth Byron. What nonsense" we
retort as we gaze upon the benevolent offer
made by one of the guild. IT'S a Draw, bonny
thing. this offer. 1t begins with fattery calcu-
lated to melt the heart of a Paynim Turk. say
ing:
In introducing our new publication 1.-THE
Courtiers and FavOrites OF ROYALTY" we find
IL advisable TO have the good words OF a num-
per OF people in various walks OF life and IN
various professions
The reader who does not scent a tribute TO
his Importance in this opening paragraph Is no
true man; pride is not in him. and the good
fairy that gives us conceit OF ourselves has
passed him by. The veriest clod however. must
see what is coming when he reads the next para
graph.
We have accordingly set apart a limited num-
Der or volumes Tor distribution in exchange for
testimonials"
goodness Of
this publisher Here is man who knows how
to gladden. the hearts of his fellows There is
no bitter pill to be swallowed before one gives
that airy nothing. ones signature, for this gift
Of the gods. There only some good words
TO be produced-and somebody else will suffer
from those. No sticky compound is set before
us, of which we must absorb six quart bottles
before we can COnscientiously declare to man
kind that previously spawned and I'M
DONE and are now fresh and invigorated with
hope" We are not even asked to provide pho
tographs, showing condition before and
after" No; the only dose is THE Courtiers and
Favorites of Royalty" and that should mot
daunt anybody. Everything is done to facilitate
the usually difficult task OF getting something
for nothing. The publishers letter thus con-
cludes:
The enclosed certificate enables you to secure
six of these complimentary volumes. If you
wish TO consider the matter of assisting us with
your influence in exchange for these six volumes
please detach. sign and return to us the en-
closed reply Slip at once. retaining the
tncate. II you don't care to entertain the prop
osition please return both the certificate and
reply slip before Thursday of next week
This ought TO leave the lucky recipient OF the
offer in fine glow. He sees himself regarded
at last as one Of weight in the community As
1t dawns upon him that through the sheer elo
quence of few of his good words he NAV
obtain six handsome volumes. all about THE
Courtiers and Favorites OF Royalty" he dreams
dreams. he counts up the possible returns of
more good words" expended in other direc-
lions. For moment he wonders at the i'm
perative note in the closing part of the offer
Since he never asked for the certificate" and
reply slip" why should he spend two cents in
mailing either of them back? But this bedding
thought he soon puts from him. Great opportu-
iitles call for high resolution. He pays the two
cents, and, with the air of one who knows what
a thing is worth, pities those who would nav
more.