CHAPTER IV
Through Politics to Journalism.—1856-7
ON applying at the store of the booksellers, at that time
the leading firm in the trade in the Northwest, I was
taken to the partner in charge of the subscription department.
He was a gentleman in speech and manner. He
took my measure at once as a youthful enthusiast with a
lively imagination and but little judgment. He did not
at all urge me on, but spoke very disinterestedly of the
uncertainties of the canvassing business; but he failed to
sober me. I told him rather proudly that I had been in
the business before and knew what special capacities it
required, and that I possessed them. He said, finally, that as
I insisted upon it, he would be glad to let me make a trial.
There would not be much risk in it for me, as I need buy
only one copy of the work at a discount. He would assign
me to an entirely unexplored and very promising field, the
city of Milwaukee. I was to be allowed a commission of
thirty-three per cent. on all subscriptions obtained. Being
provided with a full equipment of subscription-books and
circulars, I lost no time in starting for the scene of my
future operations.
Milwaukee has always been an almost German city. In 1856, the preponderance of the German element was even greater than at present; in fact, its Americanization, which has in the meantime progressed very rapidly, had then hardly begun. It was known among German-Americans as “Deutsch-Athen,” and, comparatively speaking, deserved the name. There was a large number of educated and accomplished men among my countrymen, and in them the love of music and histrionic art was very marked. Under
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