The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-01-28
miscellaneous,
THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.
An Excellent Story.

Mr. Brooks was brought up as n farmer.
He lived in Eastern Pennsylvania; Della
ware River was in sight and Philadelphia
was not far distant. When young man
he became a clerk in "a large mercantile
house the business did not suit him; in
few years he weut back to farming. He
had land which partly was willed 10 him
he paid for part. At the same time. he
married genteel and accomplished lady,
who preferred to live on farm, and they
were doing well.
1t was not long before he concluded he
must go West. There always is class of
restless men whose natural tendency is to
withdraw from the central attractions OF
society, and to live where things are chang
ing and progressive. In similar manner
does the centrifugal force impel bodies to
the circumference.
He came to Central Illinois, bought
good farm, improved it, and in few years
had things comfortable At that time
there were few railroads, little money could
be obtained corn was 10 cents and wheat
SO cents bushel This would not do for
Mr.. Brooks, and he got together what mo-
ney he could, started store and did
large business But he was obliged to go
deeply in debt for goods, and as he trusted
much, the result was he became so embar-
rassed that in u few years he had to quit
business. In closing up he was in debt
about thousand dollars, and he could not
pay it, but those to whom it was due agreed
to wait, though they did not fail to write
dunning letters. This is what is called be-
ing ''broke." Still he had his farm. but
the prospect Of getting the money was slight.
If Mr. Brooks had studied farming affairs
more thoroughly he would have hit upon
some crop which almost any year would
have paid his debt. The trouble was, eve
ry one thought there was no way to make
money but to raise grain. Farmers were
beginning to see how great was this error,
and to take wider views of the capacity of
their farms. These wider views have been
obtained by making agriculture, through
papers and through discussion, more OF
practical science. -
His children were growing up without
proper education or care Where they
lived society was not good, nor were the
schools, and it was seen that the young
people would grow up rough, and marry
those like them. This greatly troubled
Mrs. Brooks she could not bear the pros
pect, and she urged Mr.. Brooks to sell the
farm, and move to town where there were
good schools. She wanted society for her
self 1t had been long since she went to
good meetings. They ought not live SO.
Her husband clearly saw these wants,
but his debt troubled him, and night and
day he studied how to pay it. Still it did
not enter his head to exchange his farm for
a -by-nine town lot In fact, he said
it could not be dreamed Of At last he
thought he might do we'll as a Commercial
Traveller, and he wrote to house in Phi
ladelphia for situation. 1t was fortunate.
The house wanted Just such man. Late
ly they had gone into the tea business as
a specially, their tea was put up in tln-foil
packages, weighing from a quarter of a
pound to pound each. They wanted an
agent to travel through the West, and get
orders from merchants for thistea. Ofthe
quality of the tea perhaps little need be
said They would give him good salary
and pay his expenses. But he must make
large sales.
This was good chance for Mr.. Brooks.
He knew he could sell their tea. He was
determined to do it; in no other way could
he pay his debt. He knew he was a good
salesman SO did his employers. He was
we'll calculated for this business. He was
large, fine looking man; his face was fresh
and full, his eyes sparkled, he spoke slowly,
and yet with a precision and force that
made him almost eloquent. He dressed
neatly and everywhere passed for gentle
men. He wrote a ready, bold hand, and
he had such knowledge of business and
/ mankind that at a glance he could tell how
TO approach and deal with stranger
His acquaintance with farming and with
the resources of the country enabled him
to take broad and correct views of the bu-
siness of country. lie was q religious
man he never trihed in conversation, never
descended to tell vulgar stories, or smiled
when others told them. His constitution
was good, even robust he loved to travel
and he was glad to see new faces and places.
He loved his wife and she almost worshiped
him; Notwithstanding both once in great
while snapped each other. He liked to
make her happy and he was attached to
his home, but its attractions were greatest
| after he had been absent.
In due time he received his samples and
started on his travels. He promised his
family that SO soon as the new business
should prove q success, he would have
them removed to town where there were
society and schools. They must wait a lit.
tie, and he would do his best. They gave
him their prayers and best wishes.
He travelled byrail, by boat and BY stage