Mr. D.—“How much a year?”
Agent.—“Only six dollars.”
Mr. D.—“Isn’t that a little high?”
Agent.—“It might be considered so for the paper alone, but when you take into consideration the fact that we give with each yearly subscription the entire ‘Rooster Series’ of fifty-two novels, by all the standard authors, books which would cost you twenty-five to fifty cents at the regular news dealers, the price is reasonable enough, after all. Don’t you think so?”
Mr. D.—“I’ll admit that it is a nice offer, but I guess I’ll have to pass it by this time.”
Agent.—“You are one of the pillars of the town, and I hate to let such a good man go.”
Mr. D.—“There are plenty of good men here besides me.”
Agent.—“Yes, I know; but not the same, either. You are recognized as one of the leaders, and your name heading my list would give me a prestige.”
Mr. D. (smiling).—“How do you know I am one of the leaders?”
Agent.—“I was told so by another prominent citizen. I’ll tell you what I’ll do with you, Mr. Denim; I will give you free of charge a set of six elegant, cloth bound volumes, all standard works, if you will subscribe for the paper. Of course, this is a confidential proposition, for the sake of obtaining your influence and to have your name at the top of my list.”