"It is to sell packages of stationery, I believe. Can you show me some?"
The dwarf handed Jed a flat package, on the outside of which was printed a list of the contents. They included a pen holder, pens, a quire of paper, a supply of envelopes, and several other articles.
"This is the best package in the market for the money," said the dwarf. "Observe how varied are the contents, and only a paltry twenty-five cents for the whole."
"Yes, it seems a good bargain," said Jed.
"You are right there," said the dwarf confidently. "Why, you can make money hand over hand. Our agents are actually coining it. We allow them to retain ten cents on each package. Two or three, and sometimes five, are sold to the same person. Would you like to have me read one or two agents' letters?"
"Yes, if you please."
"Here is one from Theodore Jenkins, who is operating in Pennsylvania:
"'Hugo Higgins, Esq.
"'Dear Sir:
"'Please send me at once two hundred packages of stationery. They sell like hot cakes. I got rid of forty yesterday, and it rained half the day, too. I have held several agencies for different articles, but none that paid as well as this. I shall be disappointed if I don't make forty dollars per week. It looks as if it might exceed that sum.
"'Yours respectfully,
"'Theodore Jenkins.'