The Phonogram, Vol. 1:10 (1891-10)

THE PHONOGRAM. larger expense to a person with only one or tv machines, and the way for him to man- i . economically would be to exchange records with some agent and to buy records that had been used but were still in good condition. He could not afford to pay a dollar and tifty cents for records, and un- less he could secure them cheaply and have frequent changes, he could not make a suc- cess of his business. He should, of course, have a first-class slot machine, one that will not get out of order and one he can understand, and also one that will not re- quire much battery power, obviating the necessity of frequent recharging. The cases the writer used were each operated over one thousand times by the same battery, and it was far from being ex- hausted. Exhibitions could be given at the district school-houses, near town, during the win- ter, which would undoubtedly prove prof- itable; and incidentally, the phouograpk could advise the country-people who would gather in large numbers where to trade in town—for a consideration, of course, from the merchants. The writer had a recent request from a country school-teacher for a phonograph to give entertainments at country school- houses this winter. In town the phono- graph could earn a good many dollars as chief entertainer at church sociables and at private parties. While in the town first mentioned, the writer took a phonograph out of the slot case one evening at the re- quest of a gentleman who wished to have it furnish music to entertain his guests while they played cards. To be sure, the average country or town merchant is very conservative and seldom makes an investment of any kind; but if a suitable party can not be secured, a slot machine can be left in some good place, an automatic counter attached to the machine, music supplied from head-quarters at trilling cost, and the party in whose store the machine is left instructed in changing 223 the music and operating the phonograph. The store-keeper will gladly look after it for the sake of having it in his place, and would not expect any percentage whatever. This latter plan lias been impracticable heretofore on account of the lack of a per- fect slot machine and of a storage battery particularly suited for isolated places. There is now, however, a machine which has just been placed on the market that cau be intrusted to the inexperienced in country places. While batteries-now in use will operate this machine from four to six weeks, we are advised that a new bat- tery, still better suited for phonograph work in out-of-the-way places, is soon to be ready for sale. There are not many amusement features in country towns, and it is doubtful whether the novelty of the phonograph will ever wear out in those places. The inhabitants seldom hear fine *ocal music, and as their town does not possess a good band, if any, they appreciate the music reproduced by the phonograph. The writer saw one young musician drop in ten nickels in suc- cession that he might learn the 44 New Paris Waltz,” as played by Issler’s Orchestra. The phonbgmjriis will certainly pay in country towns, i i properly handled. This is a question that should interest the sev- eral companies, and the subject is deserving of discussion by those better informed than the writer. There may be those who have solved the question to their satisfaction and profit, and their methods would make in- teresting and valuable reading for others. Assome^State cflmjwnies permit travel- ing with the instrument, while others do not, there is room on this account for vari- ous opinions regarding the phonog^ph in # countrv towns. The phonograph can not always depend upon cities for its patrons, and the sooner it can be put to work successfully in gath- ering in the nickels of the untraveled coun- tryman and villager, the better it will be for us all.