to subscribe to the 'Boston Searchlight?' It's a very
good paper. No business man can afford it--afford to be without it, I
mean. It's only a dollar a year."

Both men smiled at my break, and I smiled, too. I wondered would they
subscribe separately, or would they take one copy for the firm.

"The 'Boston Searchlight,'" repeated one of the partners. "Never heard
of it. Is that the paper you have there?"

He unfolded the paper I gave him, looked over it, and handed it to his
partner.

"Ever heard of the 'Searchlight,' O'Lair? What do you think--can we
afford to be without it?"

"I guess we'll make out somehow," replied Mr. O'Lair, handing me back
my paper. "But I'll buy this copy of you, Miss," he added, from second
thoughts.

"And I'll go partner on the bargain," said Mr. Kennedy.

But I objected.

"This is a sample," I said; "I don't sell single papers. I take
subscriptions for the year. It's one dollar."

"And no business man can afford it, you know." Mr. Kennedy winked as
he said it, and we all smiled again. It would have been stupid not to
see the joke.

"I'm sorry I can't sell my sample," I said, with my hand on the
doorknob.

"That's all right, my dear," said Mr. Kennedy, with a gracious wave of
the hand. And his partner called after me, "Better luck next door!"

Well, I was getting on! The people grew friendlier all the time. But I
skipped "next door"; it was "Mortgages and Bonds." I tried
"Insurance."

"The best paper in Boston, is it?" remarked Mr. Thomas F. Dix, turning
over my sample. "And who told you that, young lady?"

"Mr. James," was my prompt reply.

"Who is Mr. James?--The _editor_! Oh, I see. And do you also think the
'Searchlight' the best paper in Boston?"

"I don't know, sir. I like the 'Herald' much better, and the
'Transcript.'"

At that Mr. Dix laughed. "That's right," he said. "Business is
business, but you tell the truth. One dollar, is it? Here you are. My
name is on the door. Good-day."

I think I spent twenty minutes copying the name and room number from
the door. I did not trust myself to read plain English. What if I made
a mistake, and the "Searchlight" went astray, and good Mr. Dix
remained unilluminated? He had paid for the year--it would be
dreadful to make a mistake.

Emboldened by my one success, I went into the next office without
considering the kind of business announced on the door. I tried
brokers, lawyers, contractors, and all, just as they came arou