One day Bok got a distinctly amusing line on himself from a chance stranger.He was riding from Washington to Philadelphia in the smoking compartment, when the newsboy stuck his head in the door and yelled:
"Ladies' Home Journal, out to-day." He had heard this many times before;but on this particular day, upon hearing the title of his own magazine yelled almost in his ears, he gave an involuntary start.
Opposite to him sat a most companionable young fellow, who, noticing Bok's start, leaned over and with a smile said: "I know, I know just how you feel.That's the way I feel whenever I hear the name of that damned magazine.Here, boy," he called to the retreating magazine-carrier, "give me a copy of that Ladies' Home Disturber: I might as well buy it here as in the station."Then to Bok: "Honest, if I don't bring home that sheet on the day it is out, the wife is in a funk.She runs her home by it literally.Same with you?""The same," answered Bok."As a matter of fact, in our family, we live by it, on it, and from it."Bok's neighbor, of course, couldn't get the real point of this, but he thought he had it.
"Exactly," he replied."So do we.That fellow Bok certainly has the women buffaloed for good.Ever see him?""Oh, yes," answered Bok.
"Live in Philadelphia?"
"Yes."
"There's where the thing is published, all right.What does Bok look like?""Oh," answered Bok carelessly, "just like, well, like all of us.In fact, he looks something like me.""Does he, now?" echoed the man."Shouldn't think it would make you very proud!"And, the train pulling in at Baltimore, Bok's genial neighbor sent him a hearty good-bye and ran out with the much-maligned magazine under his arm!
He had an occasion or two now to find out what women thought of him!
He was leaving the publication building one evening after office hours when just as he opened the front door, a woman approached.Bok explained that the building was closed.
"Well, I am sorry," said the woman in a dejected tone, "for I don't think I can manage to come again.""Is there anything I can do?" asked Bok."I am employed here.""No-o," said the woman."I came to see Mr.Curtis on a personal matter.""I shall see him this evening," suggested Bok, "and can give him a message for you if you like.""Well, I don't know if you can.I came to complain to him about Mr.
Bok," announced the woman.
"Oh, well," answered Bok, with a slight start at the matter-of-fact announcement, "that is serious; quite serious.If you will explain your complaint, I will surely see that it gets to Mr.Curtis."Bok's interest grew.
"Well, you see," said the woman, "it is this way.I live in a three-family flat.Here is my name and card," and a card came out of a bag."I subscribe to The Ladies' Home Journal.It is delivered at my house each month by Mr.Bok.Now I have told that man three times over that when he delivers the magazine, he must ring the bell twice.But he just persists in ringing once and then that cat who lives on the first floor gets my magazine, reads it, and keeps it sometimes for three days before I get it! Now, I want Mr.Curtis to tell Mr.Bok that he must do as I ask and ring the bell twice.Can you give him that message for me?
There's no use talking to Mr.Bok; I've done that, as I say."And Bok solemnly assured his subscriber that he would!
