American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-09
For the American Republican,
"THE DRUMMERS.n

"THE DRUMMERS."
Start not gentle reader at the ption ofthis
article, though warhke in its association, we
do not design to ''expatatefree DER the scene"
of war, or the rumors of war, but merely to
glance at a certain class of men, who may be
found in all large cities, and known by the very
significant cognomen of "drummeIs," though
they are not generally very belligerent in their
department or manner of proceeding, yet woe
to the luckless country merchant, when he is
attacked by an army of these voracious ''drum-
mers," if he frees himself with a dislocated
arm, or torn coat, he may thank the gods for
the trfling damage.
Their number has increased so rapidly with
in the last few years, that they may now be desig
mated as a great class, and are therefore open
and subjected to such note and criticism as
they merit. We accordingly notice them as
one Of the "signs of the times" which not
only denote the increase Of trade, but also an
evidence of the entire revolution in the mode
of pursuing the mercantile business, and show
ing the "progressiveness of the age"
The "drummers" may be divided into two
classes; first the drummer taniliare," and Sc
cond the drummer obtruSiUe." The first of
these genus homo, is he who, it is supposed,
possesses an extensive acquaintance among
country merchants, and he therefore deems it
necessary that he should be constantly on the
qui uiuc at the hotels for his country friends
The drummer famitiare" may always be seen
at the commencement of the "busy season, -
vending his way every morning to the princi-
pal hotels. He rushes into the bar, seizes the
"register" Of arrivals, scans its pages with ca
gerness, then turns quickly and gazes into the
face OF every stranger who may be present,
with the greatest interest depicted upon his
countenance. Now, his face at once brightens
with the smile Of satisfaction, he approaches
an acquaintance, grasps his hand, inquiring
/ "when did you get in, ""whats the news in
your part Of the country, ""What's the prospect
for business, what s the price Of pork, chow s
corn, and such like questions, all in the same
breath, TO which the astonshed countryman
replies with his usual slowness and sincerity.
! This procedure of the drummer is invaria-
| bly, followed by presentation of his 'card, "
and an invitation TO call, before making his
purchases, assuring the merchant that any
goods in ''hs line, - he is determined to sell at
lower prices than they can be obtained in this
or any other city. promise 'to call" is
made by the countryman, which IS sometimes
fulfilled, but frequently torgottcn; so much tor
the drummer taRitiGre."
The second is the drummer obtrusiye, which
class we would fam not describe, but we will
touch them in the spirit of extenuation. The
drummer oJtrusiue' disregards all modesty;
and, "steadfast in his purpose" he plants him
self at the door of the dinlng-Ioom OF tavern,
gazing with rudeness into the face of each as
he makes his egress, and bowling with coun-
terfet look of recognition to every supposed
countryman. He will 90 farther-whea no
other means is left him, he will tread on the foot
of the countryman, or jostle him IN passing, in
order that he may have an occasion to apollo
gize for the accident. By this means, the
unsuspecting stranger is brought into con-
versation with the drummer" which results
in desire to sell him goods on the best terms
in the lrOrLd; and this offer is made too with
out any knowledge whatever of the PERSONS
standing or credlt--in the mere desire to sell
goods all other considerations are overlooked.
Is it matter of surprise, therefore, that so
many houses wind up their business, showing
''balance of profit and loss'' on the wrong
side?
To this drumming, are to be attributed some
of the heavy losses which many of our mer-
chants incur, and makes the prosecution of bu-
sness so hazardous. This system of drum
ming is indeed to be deprecated and its discon-
tnuance would be a "consummation most de-
voutly to be wished" P.
The WOMEN OF THE REVOLUTION. A bill is
before the Pennsylvania Legislature for grant
ing pension to an old lady named Eve Cary,
of Westmoreland county, and from the fol.
lowing interesting facts, she richly merits it.
1t appears that during tremendous attack
made upon Hannahstown fort, in Westmore-
land county, by large party of Indians, Bri-
fish and Tories, in the summer Of ITS, Eve
Cary distinguished herself by extraordinary
bravery.
The garrison were frightened and about to
yield, but Eve declared they should not give up
She inspired the men with courage and the
women with fortitude, assisted in loading the
guns, made bullets for the men, and by her ac-
tive exertons contributed largely in successful
| ly resisting the murderous assault, by which
many were saved from horrible butchery.-
Ewes father and two brothers had been killed
by the Indians only few days before the at
tack on Hannahstown fort. Her conduct
throughout showed that she possessed the most
ndomitable courage-a quality, however, by
no means rare among the women of Revolu.
tionary times. Eve is now old, in6rm anC
poor.
| FIRES. The house occupied by the Rev
Mr.. Tuck, in Ludlow, Mass, was burnt, TO-
getler with the barn connected with it, OF
Thursday last Loss $1,000, insured S700.-
The Brook Farm Mansion in West Roxbury
Mass, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday even
! ing. Loss Sl0,000-no insurance.