“How is this for one that says what it means?” said Bertram.
WANTED—At once, a brass howitzer and a man who isn’t afraid to handle it. Mrs. Anne Cullen, Pier 49½ East River.
“The woman who is fighting the barge combine,” explained Waldemar. “Not so good as it looks. She’s bluffing.”
“Anyway, I’d like a shy at this business,” declared Average Jones with sudden conviction. “It looks to me like something to do.”
“Make it a business, then,” advised Waldemar. “If you care really to go in for it, my newspaper would be glad to pay for information such as you might collect. We haven’t time, for example, to trace down fraudulent advertisers. If you could start an enterprise of that sort, you’d certainly find it amusing, and, at times, perhaps, even adventurous.”
“I wouldn’t know how to establish it,” objected Average Jones.
The newspaper owner drew a rough diagram on a sheet of paper and filled it in with writing, crossing out and revising liberally. Divided, upon his pattern, into lines, the final draft read:
HAVE YOU BEEN STUNG?
Thousands have.
Thousands will be.
They’re Laying for You.
WHO?
The Advertising Crooks.
A. JONES
Ad-Visor
Can Protect You Against Them.
Before Spending Your Money Call on Him. Advice on all Subjects Connected with Newspaper, Magazine or Display Advertising. Free Consultation to Persons Unable to Pay. Call or Write, Enclosing Postage. This Is On The Level.
Jones, Ad-Visor
“Ad-Visor! Do you expect me to blight my budding career by a poisonous pun like that?” demanded Average Jones with a wry face.