Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-04-01
"A CONVINCING.
ARGUMENT
BY ELIZABETH WEED
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1871.

Walter Dixon was graduated with
the highest honors and. having shown
remarkable promise In a literary way,
was sent abroad TO study the literature
OF different countries. then given the
chair OF that department in his alma
mater. But Walter was a delicate fell
low. and his physicians told him that
IL he cared to remain on earth he
would better find some occupation to
take him out OF doors Walter took
the hint and set himself up for an ad-
vertising broker.
One morning he stepped into the
store OF John Hobeon & Co. importers
of foreign fruits, ETC.. presented bis
card TO the senior member OF the frm
and asked for patronage
Young man." said Mr.. Hobson. who
was uneducated. I'm agin advertis-
ing. There's so many advertisements
that there isa't anybody reads en-
"If people didn't read them. Mr..
Hobson. the periodicals and newspa-
pers would have TO close up"
Il say people don't read EN-, and
that's all there is about It I'm busy;
get out o here"
Il see. Mr. Hobson, that | can't do
any business with you without first
proving to you the value OF what
have to sell. win give you an adj
vertisement free for that purpose.
Kindly mention the name OF some ar
ticle you have for sale"
"0h. take our preserved ginger and
let me alone. I've more important
work on hand than STAYING Off solici-
tors"
Several days later Mr.. Hobson notic-
ed that his mail was much larger than
usual The first letter he opened con-
tanned an advertisement cut from
newspaper Of Hobson's prepared gin
ger. Mr.. Hobson first read the letter
fnclosing It:
Dear Sir--I would call your attention to
the fact that ginger does not grow on
trees. especially in northern climates. II
Is a root and is Indigenous to tropicai
countries Yours respectfully.
MARIA l.. WILBUR,
Principal of the High, School
Mr.. Hobson glanced at the adj with
surprise and vexation. 1t read as fol-
lows:
Our ginger is growed especially for us
In Norway picked from the trees ana
cured on the spot There ain't no fngre-
dents in 1t that would hurt baby. IT'S
all carefully peeled and put to soak In
vinegar. after which It's boiled In lemon
Juice and put into jars. In this way we
git a flavor that there amt no discount
on.
Mr.. Hobson colored and his eye fired.
He opened another letter:
Dear Sir-I have read your adj. and beg
leave to call your attention to the fact
that there Is no peel on ginger Yours
truly. MARGARET ASHLEY.
OF the BlakeIy Cooking School
Other letters were as follows:
That ad. OF yours Is a corker. don't
know anything about ginger. whether IL
is from Norway or a South American
tree; but. having a thorough knowledge
OF the English language. ! should like to
write your ads. for you.
In the inclosed advertisement you have
used the word "growed" Incorrectly. IL
should be grown
This ad. is ridiculous. You might as
well try TO get walrus fat out OF the Car
ibbean sea as to try for ginger m Nor
way
Mr.. Hobson had opened and thrown
into the wastebasket hundred letters
from lawyers, doctors. housewives.
merchants-indeed. all sorts of persons
and was about to get at his daily
work when the postman came In and
unloaded another bundle. And such
was the case whenever batch OF mail
was delivered. Mr.. Hobson was oblig-
ed to open the letters lest he should
throw into the wastebasket something
of Importance. The next day there
were but two or three comments ON the
ad. and the day following none.
On the third day Dixon appeared.
Mr.. Hobson faced him and said:
What do you mean by disgracing
my business by putting In that ad.
about my preserved ginger? Only an
ignoramus would have said what you
did
"The question Is not as to the writ
ing of the adj I don't pretend to
know anything about ginger. ! wished
to prove to you that ads. are read"
louuS man, Il III cOuNlhCcu thal PtV'
pie do read ads. But I'd like to know
where you got your learning
I'm college graduate"
"Well. all I've got to say Is that
they'd better burn down the college
where you graduated. A college grad.
uate as don't know any more than you
about ginger and how to write COM
mon language had better put his head
to soak"
IF you are convinced that advertise
ments are generally read and will give
me an order you can write the next
ad. yourself"
You bet I'll write 1t myself. don't
want no more such wrong information
and bad writin' about my goods. Set
down there few minutes and I'll talk
to you"
Dixon set" awhile, but 1t paid him.
He left the store with thousand dol
lar order for advertisements. And
Hobson was convinced from the sud
den dropping off of the letters he had