The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-10-14

u j welcome one. The monot
9sCN ony of the slup.slop Of the
molasses-hogsheads bunp
was accentuated by the tedium of the
everlasting CAB of the old men who
sat behind the stove. There were also
the never-ceasing complaints at the
wicket by the patrons whose mail
averaged postal-card and medicine
circular a week. l wanted to be out
and away.
From the outside the job of sewing
machine agent looked like a fairly
pleasant one. The agents that drove
our way rode in handsomely painted
wagons. and the harness was pretty
well nickeled up. l questioned one of
these agents one day. He told me that
for folks who liked that kind of n
business It would be Just the kind of
business they would like. But that
didn't discourage me. The general
agent of a sewing-machine company
came along that way to collect some
old snags of bills. and 1 hired with
him. Father and brother helped me
by "going on" bond of one thousand
dollars. The company fitted me out
with sample machine. horse and
team. and put me with another agent
to learn the business.
A man who couldn't learn the bust
ness with that fellow wouldn't be able
to learn anything. 1t seems strange
that I never have heard from or about
him in late years. A star Of his lu-
minosity ought to be shining above
the business horizon with an efful-
gence to be seen of all men.
First of all, he taught me how to
sew plain. but especially how to use
the attachments"
"That's what catches the women
folks every time" said he; 'the at
tachments. They'll never use them in
n dogs age, but they must have them.
You would think, to hear the women
talk. that they were buying the ma
chine so as to tuck and ruffie and hem
and furbelow. So you must give them
all the tricks of the machine. And you
must also sew the baby's old shoe. and
run a cigar-boX cover through under
the tread, and take few stitches in
n tin can, not necessarily because tin
cans are to be fashionable articles
of apparel next season, but because
It is guarantee of good faith. And
It also gives the agent an opportunity
to talk. Never stop talking. Keep
your vocal treadle going"
Well. after few days OF instruc-
tion, Carter-that was his name-took
me out for canvassing trip. He
picked one side of the street in the
village where we landed. and took
the other side. That was so l could
watch him and see how he did it, He
directed me to keep my eye on him.
He told me he had been selling sewing
machines ever since he was big enough
to lug one of the old-fashioned hand
room.
Therefore. like dutiful pupil. I
stood on the other side of the street
and watched him. Cater yanked
briskly on the door-bell knob, and
It grated out yawkingly. I always was
imaginative. The sound Of that bell
attachment made me wager in my
mind that an ugly woman lived in
that house. But Carter seemed valiant
enough. He braced back his shoul-
ders, tugged at the lapels of his coat
pulled out an advertising-card. cleared
his throat and waited. The woman of
the house ratified at the key inside,
and then opened the door. She had
one of those square heads with little
wispy frlnges of hair bobbing on her
forehead.
"Good-afternoon madam" said Car
ter. speaking clearly so that I might
hear him. This is lovely weather for
this time OF year. Here is my card.
/ have had letter from my people
In New York asking me to call and
see you. would like to explain our
sewing-machine-
The woman slammed the door in his
face. and both Of us heard the bolt of
the lock go "click." She didn't say
q word. Carter looked at the door a
moment, and then turned around and
looked at me. laughed. could feel
the red go up over my face at the
same time. because was embarrassed
for his sake. But Carter only grim
aced. He grinned over at me as though
he were enjoying 1t. wondered how
he could have the heart to be chip
per.
'Business woman. isn't sher' he re-
marked, cheerfully. "Guess, I'll be
obliged to sell her a machine now.
anyway"
He walked right around to the back
door. and ] sidled down the sidewalk
90 as to keep my eye on HIM. There
was no bell at the back door, 20 he
raped good and hard. The woman
yanked the door open. and said some
ching short Then she tried 10 shut the