Agent.—“You’ll admit a good bible, clear type, solid binding, spring back and up-to-date is something every Christian household should possess; and how often are you called upon to invest in one? Once in a lifetime; and when you do, you ought to buy carefully. A good bible is like every first-class article. It pays for itself in the long run, and the difference in price is always well worth paying. Think of the satisfaction of owning a genuine good article, that you will not have to replace in a lifetime. Besides, it is a staple ornament in a man’s home and speaks for his morals and fear of the Lord—which, you know, is the beginning of wisdom. Better let me put your name down.” Mr. Smith (hesitatingly).—“I ought to see Maria first.” Agent.—“This is the time you don’t want to see Maria, because you want to surprise her. This bible business is a new venture with us, and this is my first trip out. But next trip I want to do an immense business, and I would like to get a book in here as a sort of an advance advertisement. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If you won’t say a word about it to a soul, and will give me your order, I’ll knock off seven dollars from the price and make it an even fifteen dollars. And I’ll also cut the payments to five cents per day—just one little, round nickel every twenty-four hours—till it’s all done and paid for. And I’ll tell you, my friend, if I ever expected to be prosperous and have what the world calls a run of good luck it would be while I was buying a bible. What do you say?” Mr. Smith.—“Well, that certainly looks fair enough, and there’s a good deal in what you say. I guess I’ll put my name down.” Agent.—“Thanks, sir, thank you; understand, the only reason I am giving you this bargain is that I can refer others to you when I come around again.” Mr. Smith.—“Oh, yes, I understand.” Agent.—“I know you have the best bargain you ever made. My word is as good as law, though, and I’ll not back out. Good-day.” That was the sum and substance of the argument, varying it at all times to suit the occasion. Selling bibles was easy work, for the most part carried on with good people, and at a good profit—it may seem strange that I did not follow it longer than I did. I thought it a little strange myself. I do not believe it was superstition that drove me out of the traffic, but if you were to say that it was I might not know so well how to answer you. Anyhow, I quit it and took up with a general line of books. In the first place, this bible business was only temporary, and done only to help the sick agent out. Next, as stated in the previous chapter, I had made arrangements for this line; and, third, I knew there was better chance of making big money in handling a line of standard authors. So I quit the bible and paper and went to the miscellaneous books.