Took Him at His Word.
A young man who was canvassing a popular book stepped into the office of a merchant and, finding him apparently at leisure, asked him to look at the book. The gentleman informed him that it would only ba waste of time, as he could not purchase it.
"Oh, neve? mind that," ejaculated the young man; "it woa't cost anything to look at it, even if you don't buy. I should like you to read seme portions of it and sea what it is."
The accommodating merchant took the volume and, glancing ab the title-page, commenced a perusal of the introduct'on. This finished', he began at the first chapter, and read careful'y and leisurely a'ong.
It wss about 9 o'clock when he commenced, and an hour passed silently away, when the book agent began to show signs of nervousness, which were apparently unnoticed by the merchant, for he never took his eyes from the volume, but read steadily on.
At noan the merchant was still reading, and the agent wore a decidedly troubled countenance. A few moments before 1 o'clock the merchant laid the book down, leisurely donned his overcoat and hat, and remarked :
" That is a good — a' very good— book. I am sorry I cannot just now enjoy more of it, bub I am obliged to go to lunch. If you call this afternoon I will continue reading it."
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18941011.2.188.7
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 49
Word Count
235Took Him at His Word. Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 49
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