Customer.—“Well, it does sound pretty nice.”
Agent.—“By the way, do you know anything about Roberts’ works?”
Customer.—“I have heard of them.”
Agent.—“Roberts is now recognized as one of the leading writers and a standard authority. He was at one time a prominent officer in the English navy, and in that capacity traveled all over the world. His works are based on historical facts and personal observation. He takes you into all the different countries, and gives you more pointers in history than any other living writer. He also opens channels heretofore unexplored. The beauty of Roberts is that he is instructive as well as interesting. I tell you, he is fine, and no one could appreciate a set of his works better than yourself.”
Customer.—“I dare say, but I have a lot of books now that I never read. I don’t get the time.”
Agent.—“My friend, even if you don’t read yourself you will admit that a library is a valuable addition to any home. You are in a position to appreciate the fact, since you are a married man; and as this proposition is such a fair one you should not hesitate to increase your store. So far as not having time to read—you are not supposed to sit down and regularly read the edition through. Skim them over, culling as you go, and when you need a fact you know where to find it. Jay Gould had a library of 83,000 volumes. Do you suppose he read every one of them? The fact is, while you prefer one thing your wife likes another, and the children still prefer others. Every one has his or her own individual taste in reading, and that is where the advantage comes in having an extensive collection. You know good reading sharpens a man’s intellect and enlarges his knowledge. Better let me put your name down.”
Customer.—“Perhaps I will, but not right away. You go ahead and see what success you meet with and then come back to me.”
Agent (undismayed).—“I’ll tell you another good point about Roberts. His language is the finest and purest ever placed on paper. Leading newspapers all over the world have clippings from Roberts. Lawyers in pleading their hardest cases quote profusely from Roberts. His portrayal of character is wonderful. When you read from him you laugh one minute and cry the next. Before you know it you are flying through the air like a feather. His is high-minded, choice reading in the fullest sense of the word, and ours is the most elaborate edition published.”
Customer.—“Well, I’ll think about it.”
Agent.—“Did you ever read his Two Pirates?”