TIT FOR TAT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8378, 20 February 1906, Page 2

TIT FOR TAT.

He was the manager of a church fair, and one morning he walked into the newspaper oflice and said :

" Want an item this morning?"

"Of course," replied the e.iitor. Whereupon the visitor laid the following note upon the table :—

" The ladies of the street Church will give a festival at their vestry hall next Friday evening. Literary and musical entertainments will be provided, and a supper will be served to all who desire. The ladies in charge of the affair have had much experience in such matters, and are sure to provide a good time. The admission will only be.fifteen cents, and it is certain that no one can spend that amount to better advantage. Be sure to go and take your friends." lAfc . When the editor had read it, he said :*^ " Oh, I see, an advertisement." " No, not an advertisement. We prefer to have it go in the local column," replied the manager. And seeing that the editor looked sceptical, he continued: "It will interest a great many readers, and heip a good cause ; besides, we have spent so much money getting up our entertainment that we cau't afford to advertise it without increasing the price of the tickets. In such a matter as this we ought to be willing to help each other." " Well," said the editor, " if it goes into the locals, T suppose you will reciprocate by reading a little notice in your church next Sunday." The visiting brother asked what notice, and the editor handed him the following : — " The ' Weekly Chronicle ' for the coming year will be the best and cheapest family paper in Maine. Its proprietor has had much experience, and has all the helps which a large outlay of money can procure. His paper has a larger circulation than any other in the country, and is to be furnished at only two dollars. It is certain that no one can spend that amount to a better advantage. Be . sure to take the ' Chronicle ' and subscriber for your friends." The manager hemmed and hesitated. ;yul then said, solemnly, that he doubted it would be judicious to add such a notice, but suggested that if it was printed, copies of it might be distributed at the door of the vestry on the evening of the entertainment. " Yes," said the editor ; " but it would attract more attention in the middle of a sermon. It will interest a large number of your congregation, and will help on a good cause ; besides, so much money is spent upon the ' Chronicle ' that I don't see how the owner can afford to print handbills or advertise it without increasing the subscription price. In such a manner as this we ought to be willing to help each other." Then the manager saw the situation,