The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-02-11
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J" Trade is a Little Dull.s

We find the following spicy little
sketch in the Boston Commercial
Balletia.a 1t forcibly illustrates the
fact that " trade IS little dull" and
also that that portion of the business
community known as " drummers, T" or
commercial travellers, despite their al
most inexhaustible resources and in
vention, are often obliged, to yield to
the pressure of the stagnant times.
The Bulletin says: DIS S 15vs l5
One of these gentlemen, who has
recently returned from trip for This
tie Bros. 4 Co., of this city, did not
show very large exhibit of orders to
balance the liberal expense account
allowed him by the firm, and Mr..
Thistle, after looking over his return,
said:
Mr.. Rataplan, | am afraid you did
not approach the dealers in the right
way. L used to be very successful in
this line. Now, suppose you to- be
Mr.. Bigher, Of Sellout, Illinois, and
show me the way you introduce the
house.gfsT uASAEsyHNP DYE - WT
Accordingly, Rataplan stepped out
OF the gcountlng-roomi and re-entered,l )
hat in hand, inquiring, :. Is Mr.. Bigher
inf" '''i 7i'7"@ -, 3 pc 81 &, = y r. 7.,r
8 That is my name, said Thistle,
urbanely. 4ol sLf,.sI ~ + 4t,, 9al q st'i4"s
my name is Rataplan, sir; / rep
resent the house of Thistle Brothers
and Co..sof Boston, Thistle, in his
character of Western merchant, here
rose, offered the salesman a chair, and
expressed his pleasure with seeing
him. 49,
II am stopping with Oyercharge at
the Stlckem House, and have a fine
lot Of unbroken samples, which l
would like to show you; think we can
offer You some special advantages,
etc. "ol And Rataplan delivered him
self of neat speech in professional
style, Aoos,, ,anl.1a s..au ay1..ge
Very well, very vel, said Thistle;
II don't see but that you understand
the way to get at customers .pA00Y
Excuse me-, Mr.. Thistle" said
Rataplan; II am afraid you do not.
understand the style of Western mer-
chants, Just .noW;z suppose, you Rex-
change places with me, and repeatthis
rsAsSs5t Certainly, ddrf said rhGisatle,s hGiatlsotSad and
picking ups hislshat3 helsteppedlhutg
Returning, he found Rataplan with
the chair tilted back, hat cooked
fiercely..oY the right eye, hisgheels
planted on Thistle's desk, and a light
ed cigar between his teeth. : gif5iaa
Thistle looked, a little staggered.
but neYertheless he commencedr-1 81
rs Mr.. Bigher In
'sYes, he is, responded Rataplan,.
blowing a cloud of pure Connecticut
into Thistle's eyes, Who in are
you?" EI d1IAdd q
" | represent the house of Thistle
Brosw& Co.. lssaid the Eastonished
employer, coughing out abeutsa quart
of smoke from his throat.
The blazes you do: are you one of
that concern?"
No, sir, | am not, said Thistle.
" Well, its.dAd lucky for you that
you are not, for I've had two drum
mers.t to one. customer, in my store for
the last two months; and if [ could
get hold of one of the blasted fools
that send 'em out here at this time,
I'm burned if I~wouldn't 0boot him
clean out of the town of Sellout."
/" That'll do, thatll do, Mr.. Ratap-s
Ian, said Thistle, J" have no doubt
you did the best you could for the in
terest of the house. s. TfadeDis little
dull"