20 Years A Fakir by James S Weldon

Weldon traveled this country during the last 20 years of the 19th century, learning and perfecting tricks of the street peddler. Many of these ploys are still used today in one form or another. He helped pioneer the many subleties of "street selling" and "percentage moves." His self-taught mastery of man's basic needs enabled him to manipulate people into buying things, sometimes using their own greed as his tool. Must reading for those interested in studying a true American phenomenon - "The pitch man."

1st edition, 1899, Gate City Book and Novelty Co., Omaha; reprint, 1980, Gamblers Book Club, Las Vegas; 166 pages.

1. Introduction
2. CHAPTER I. 
   BECOMING AMBITIOUS - LEAVING HOME - HOTEL PORTER - CARD BUSINESS - LIGHTNING ROD AGENT - THE ACCIDENT - TWELVE GLASSES OF WATER.
3. CHAPTER II. 
   BUSTED - SOAP SIGNS - WALKING - THE TWO ACTORS - FREE THEATRES - JUMPING BILLS - THE OTHER FAKIR - PEN SCHEME - STREET TALK - THE FRIENDLY HAYSTACK
4. CHAPTER III. 
   MEETING PROF. CARTER - THE MUSIC SCHEME - FLOWERS AND NOVELTIES - THE LADIES - THE SOAP RACKET - STREET GAGS AND JOKES - THE SINKING VESSEL
5. CHAPTER IV. 
   THE CONTEMPTIBLE PIANO TUNER - THE BIOGRAPHICAL WRITE-UP FAKE - THE FLATTERED BLACKSMITH
6. CHAPTER V. 
   FAKIR MAXIMS - A HAPPY MEETING - AUCTION BUSINESS - TALK AND AUCTION GAGS - THE BOY AUCTIONEER - PARTING WITH PROF. CARTER
7. CHAPTER VI. 
   GETTING A KNOWLEDGE OF SCHEME GOODS - FRIGHTENING THE LADIES - TRICK AT CHURCH FAIR - STREET WORK - THE CATCHY LITTLE LOOKBACKS - GIVING THEM AWAY - THE HORSE AND LOAF OF BREAD TRICK