Agent.—“Certainly, sir. One hundred and nineteen maps, 13,000 illustrations, 17,000 pages, 57,000 separate and distinct subjects, 16,000,000 words, and an atlas department which represents every country in the known world. This department, by the way, is more extensive than any single atlas. It takes you into every spot on the face of the earth, from the diamond fields of Africa to the orange groves of Florida. It also gives a biographical sketch of all the notables of the various nations, something no ordinary atlas does. The whole encyclopedia is complete in every department. It gives the origin of every language, the history of the world’s religious and political developments, origin and growth of secret societies, manners and customs of all nations, treats broadly of architecture, mechanism, arts and science, taking you into a thousand channels heretofore unheard of. The illustrations are the great drawing card. In the department of mechanics, for instance, if you read the description of an article and do not understand it, you could turn to the illustration and see it, plain as daylight. Besides all these features it has an extra department, giving all the speeches made by our leading politicians during the late campaign.” Mr. R. (jokingly).—“But I can’t read.” Agent.—“You don’t have to, Mr. Rice. This is the parrot edition. Just open one of the volumes and it speaks for itself.” Mr. R.—“I have a dictionary. I think I can make that do.” Agent.—“For heaven’s sake, man, don’t compare an encyclopedia to a dictionary. One is a collection of words only; the other a complete compendium of subjects. In fact, the encyclopedia is both, combined in one. A dictionary gives you no information except on single words. There is absolutely no comparison.” Mr. R.—“But I never take time to read.” Agent.—“You can’t make me believe that. The life and push of our country come from men who read. The hustlers who get to the front are men who read, and all solid business men are well posted. Now, you are one of the solid business men of the town, and I know you could not be where you are unless you were well informed. I can tell the educated man the moment I see him.” Mr. R.—“You are getting along too fast. I don’t pose for an educated man.” Agent.—“I should hate to call you a prevaricator, but they say around here that you are a great bookworm, and where there is smoke there is sure to be a little fire.” Mr. R. (feeling complimented).—“How are your books bound?” Agent.—“In fine Russia leather, gilt-edged. They are designed for first-class libraries only.” Mr. R.—“And the collections?” Agent.—“You can remit through the banks. The First National will be our agent here.” Mr. R.—“Shall I remit weekly?” Agent.—“Oh, you can drop your fifty cents in a cigar box and send it in once a month. With business men like you that is all right.”