Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-25

library. and Mrs Johnston was in the
sitting-room, | partially closed the slid
Ing door between us. and said: Let
him canvass you. while listen. and see
what kind Of worker he is"
He made a proposition to send the
magazine for year at ten cents week.
90 cents of which must be paid to him.
cash in advance
AFTER making a rapid canvass on the
magazine. he produced a Havilaud china
plate. and said: "As a special induce
ment to get subscribers. we send as a
premium, within three days from the
time you subscribe. an SS-piece set of
this limoges"
How can your firm afford 20 send a
$50 set of dishes with a $3.50 subscrip-
tion?"
He explained that the publishers had
received 100000 worth OF advertising
contracts, and had indiscreetly given A
sworn statement to the advertisers that
the paper had a paid-up circulation of
over $4,000 copies per week. whereas.
In reality. IL only had a paid circulation
OF about 100000. and n order to increase
its circulation and avoid exposure, was
making this wonderful offer.
But said Mrs johnson. what
security have for my money! What
evidence have thai the dishes. or even
the magazine viii ever be delivered to
me?"
Why" said he, 4 will give you
receipt for your so cents"
Signed by whom?" asked Mrs. Johns
ton.
BY me- he replied.
But how do I know you are response
ble?' was the next query. Let me see
your blank form OF receipt"
On looking it over carefully, she said:
How does II happen that the name of
your publishing house doesn't appear
on this receipt? It seems very strange
that you should be out collecting money
for large concern. and giving your per-
sonal receipt for moneys paid in. How
does this happen, and how would know
who 70 address in case the dishes failed
TO arrive? Not ever your home address
is given here"
But" said he. every one knows this
firm"
NO, not everyone" said Mrs. Johns
ton. Il am constant reader Of maya
zines and newspapers. yet never heard
OF such firm. and dare say there are
many others who are ignorant OF its ex-
istence"
AT this juncture pushed open the IL
brary door and appeared on the scene.
Let's see, what is your manner"
said.
Mr.. -" he replied.
And where is your home, Mr.. -"
"Plttsburg." he answered.
Well. now, Mr.. -" said !. you
evidently have a pretty smooth little
graft here. and l guess it's all your own.
too, isn't itg"
1T depends" he coOlly replied, what
you call graft, sir"
What l call a graft, ." answered. lis
anything where a man resorts TO trick
cry TO inveigle people into parronizing
him, and then gives them nothing for
their money"
How can this be a graft. II we send
them the magazine and the dishes?"
II" put in; but you don't. and you
know it: you have already admitted
that the publishers OF your magazine
are perJurers; that they swore 20 false
hood, and therefore committed a peni-
Tertiary orfense, in an effort TO swindle
advertisers
At this he began TO hedge" a little
and after clearing his throat moment
said:
We'll, 1 didn't mean that they had
sworn il. Imeant that they had mere
ly made false statements"
Young man" said, make a clean
breast OF this, or shall instantly 'phone
for the police patrol. and have YOU
locked up"
He became aurried at once. and be-
gan talking at random.
How long have you been in this
business?" I Interrupted. and what
were you previously engaged in?"
This is my first week in this work"
You mean this graft, l put in.
Well, yes, graft" he continued
and II has been paying so we'll that I
have stuck 10 IL. although I am in con
slant fear OF getting into trouble"
lie had confined his canvassing to
both the middle and better class Of citi-
zens. and had experienced no trouble
In finding plenty OF Victims among
them. He had been IN college for some
time, and being anxious TO go through
and possessing no funds, had hit upon
this scheme TO make money rapidly.
He said II didn't matter what roaga-
zine he introduced that the suckers"
always bit on the china proposition, and
that Mrs. Johnston was the first person
In the city to critically investigate his
proposition. let him go. with a warn
Ing. on his promise that he would at