The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-08-01

for his sterling qualities by the peo-
pie in general. He has two children:
John Doe, Jr., who. like his father
and his distinguished ancestors, is
possessed of a large amount of vim,
pluck, courage and determination,
and gives promise of being a great
citizen. Young Doe is an enthusiast
tic baseball player.
Mr.. Does other child, Edith, is a
girl of charming disposition. She has
already distinguished herself by cap
turing a prize for Teciting "Curfew
Shall Not Ring Tonight"
After reading the biography, the
agent Of the publishing house looked
at Mr. Doe and saw upon his face a
broad smile.
What do you think of it, Mr..
Doe?" inquired the agent.
1T is very good" said Mr. Doe
1T is all true. My people have al
ways been people Of considerable vi
tally and determination, just as you
state"
Now Mr.. Doe" said the agent. Il
presume you will want a copy of this
book It will cost the company a
large sum Of money to get this work
out and the cost of a copy Of this
book may appear to be high, but il is
not. We have figured the cost of this
work down to within 2 few cents
Here is an application for a copy
which you can sign"
The agent handed Mr.. Doe a fOun-
tain pen and the order, which read:
upon presentation Of copy of
Prominent People of America with
my biography in it, l will pay the
publisher or its assigns, three hun
dred dollar"
Mr.. Doe read the order, and when
his eyes caught sight of the words
three hundred dollars" there was a
decided change in his expression,
and he remarked: rs not three
hundred dollars rather high?"
No" replied the agent. AS l eX-
planned to you, there is heavy eX-
pense attached to getting this work
out. and we have figured it down to
within a few cents of the costs. L
rather think it will cost more than
we have estimated. Since we figured
the cost of this work, the paper trust
has sent paper sky high and there are
some other expenses unforeseen by
US"
Mr.. Doe stuck his signature to the
order, and no sooner was his pen off
the paper than the agent had q blot
ter on it. he then folded the order
and placed it in his pocket.
After this. the agent leaned back
In his chair and began to talk on
the bright prospects and how bust
ness would soon pick up and every
body would make money To use
his language, he said:
Mr., Doe, | am sure from what l
have seen and heard in travelling
around the country that business is
going to boom in your line and you
will have an opportunity to make lots
of money"
BY the way. Mr.. Doe, there is
something l almost forgot"
I'VE vii have to have your picture
in this book. | believe the company
has your photograph, but we will
have to arrange for a steel engraving.
You know that steel engravings are
rather expensive. You will have to
pay the cost of this steel plate, as
this is separate from the biography"
The agent pulled out a blue sheet
OF paper and handed it to Mr.. Doe,
with his fountain pen.
Mr.. Doe read the paper, which
said: Il will pay the publishers of
Prominent People of America. or
it's assigns. one hundred dollars, cost
Of steel plate and expenses, upon
presentation of book.
Mr.. Doe read the blank and shook
u
4 will have to have the book with
out the picture"
Mr.. Doe" said the agent, you
don't seem to realize the Importance
Of this great work. You must re-
member you have been selected as
one prominent person out OIL thou
sands of people to go in this work;
and that we are only asking you to
pay the cost of this steel plate and
putting it along with your biography.
It would never do to have a mans
biography without his picture. 1t
costs a large amount of money to get
steel plates and have the picture
placed properly in the book. You
must also reCOliect that money alone
can't get you in this book. We have
refused excellent offers from people
to put their biography in this work,
but we deemed them as we made
rule in the beginning only to take
the people we select. Any one whose
reputation is in any way furnished
will be rejected as soon as we dis
cover such A United States senator
from the west offered us a large sum
OF money to get in this work, but. we
refused his offer as he was charged
with land frauds. wnen this is is
sued it will be placed in the large Ii
congressional library at Washington.
It will be a source of great gTattfica-
ton to you and your descendants 20
see your likeness in this book along
with other prominent men of the
present time. | don't think you
should hesitate for a moment on the
paltry sum of a hundred dollars, the
cost of a steel plate. Every other
biography will have a picture; and
we do not like 70 have a biography
in the work without a picture along
A man of your fine appearance
should not for a moment hesitate"
Mr. Doe studied for a moment and
stuck his name to the blank The
agent took the paper at once, and
folding it, placed it in his pocket.
Mr. Doe said the agent. 4 think
7 will try to catch that train due TO
leave shortly, so goodbye"
With these words the agent was
out of the door.
After the agent was gone Mr. Doe
began to study over this book bust
ness. In all CT his transactions be
fore this. he had a chance to see the
ar n eor7DIn eff I hIv 2 horse -