ONE morning, a book salesman called at the house of Mr. James Watson, a rich businessman from New York, and would not leave till Mr. Watson had bought a copy of the book he was selling, Early Christian Martyrs.
Shorty afterwards, Mr. Watson left for work, taking with him the book he had bought and which he now regretted buying.
When he returned in the evening, his wife informed him that she had purchased a book from a salesman. Mr. Watson flew into a rage when he saw the book. “That rascally salesman sold me the same book this morning!” he bellowed. “Now we have two copies of the darned book! If I ever get my hands on that fellow, I’ll…!”
“Why there he is,” said Mrs. Watson, pointing out of the window.
The salesman was going towards the railway station. Mr. Watson saw a neighbour, Mr. Steven, outside, and yelled to him to stop the salesman from boarding the train. Then he hastily began putting on his clothes.
Mr. Steven hurried after the salesman and caught up with him just as he was about to get into the train. “Mr. Watson asked me to stop you,” he said. “Mr. Watson?” said the salesman. “Ah yes, I know what he wants. He wants to buy one of my books but I can’t miss this train to sell it to him.”
Mr. Watson reached the station just as the train was leaving it. He was huffing and puffing and had a terrible look on his face.
“It’s all right,” said Mr. Steven. “I got it for you”. “Got what?”
“The book you wanted,” said Mr. Steven. “You owe me two dollars”, and he handed him a copy of Early Christian Martyrs.