“Why, no, Mr. White, we intended talking that matter over with the mothers to-night. We are all so inexperienced in this undertaking that I suppose a business man would laugh at our way of putting ‘the cart before the horse,’ as the saying is,” laughed Mrs. Talmage.
“The fact is, this whole proposition is so sudden and different from anything the children had dreamed of!” added Aunt Selina, in defence of their mistakes.
“I know! When I heard of the daring of the children I certainly admired their spunk, but I couldn’t help shaking my head, too, for it is no joke to start a real business, as they are doing,” said Mr. White, seriously.
“Well, we will need the help of all of our friends,” smiled Mrs. Talmage.
“You’ll have it, too. Why, everybody in Oakdale felt the Blue Birds’ work last summer was wonderful; now, this new venture will have the support of all of the townsfolks.”
“It is very encouraging to hear you speak so, and if you think of any way to boom our circulation, I wish you would come over some evening and tell us all about it,” replied Mrs. Talmage.
Suddenly the manager sat upright and looked toward the book-shelves, which contained rows of business-like looking reference books.
“I believe we have the idea!” exclaimed he, jumping up and going over to the shelves to take down a heavy volume.
“This book contains all the names and addresses of stationery stores in the United States and Canada. It is only a year old, so most of these addresses will be up-to-date. We use it for mailing samples of our paper, but I have an idea that you would get plenty of subscriptions and make willing agents of these storekeepers. If you send a sample of your magazine and give them a liberal commission there is no reason why these firms would refuse to act as agents. Anyway, it would do no harm to try out the suggestion,” said Mr. White.
“Why, Mr. White, do you know that you are a direct answer to my prayer!” cried Aunt Selina.