ABSTRACT
It has been already stated that my business in the office of the Boston Post was to look after the collection of bills and accounts due to the office. Naturally, however, it came about, there being no advertisement solicitor employed, that Mr. James H. Beals, my chief, would suggest that as I knew Mr. So-and-So by sight I should step into his place of business and ask him if the advertisement seen this morning in the Journal, the Advertiser or the Courier should not also appear in the Post. Every one who has been young, and while young has attempted to solicit orders for advertising, can appreciate the dread with which I approached this or that great man to beg his patronage and the feeling of something almost like joy that welled in my bosom when I discovered that the man with the requisite authority was out to luncheon, or, better still, out of town. There were exceptions, however. The experiences were not all disagreeable. Now and then the advertiser seemed to want to see me, and gave an order as though it was a favor to him; and out of acquaintances begun or improved in this way I found friends who were pleasant then and useful and profitable in after years. If a young man represents a newspaper of merit, and will tell his story clearly, distinctly, and without circumlocution, he will have few experiences that he need regard as disagreeable and many times will admit, when the day is over, that its hours have not only produced profit but pleasure and satisfaction as well.
