Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-09-12
From the Boston Traveller


traders Of New England, those doing busi-
ness in the country, made semi-annual jour
neys to Boston, in the spring and autumn.
using to accomplish the trip their private
teamsor the stage-coach, the round tour oc-
cupying several weeks in some instances.
Soon the stage coach gave way to the cars,
and almost simultaneously n new era was
| inaugurated in the system of trade
In the meantime, the population Of the
country made rapid strides, new settlements
were constantly springing up, and the wants
and needs Of the people becoming more and
more marked. The invention of steam
| travel by cars, as well as boats, also greatly
increased the importations of the country,
and that in its turn stimulated the raising Of
products, and manufacturing of the same
for expectation: so that in less than one de-
cade from the introduction Of this motive
power, tie importations and exports of the
country increased over one hundred per cent.
The" Hub" was now brought within a few
hours Of any point in the New England
States, and a complete revolution impercept-
IDLY transpired. The country merchant was
no longer compelled to make weary jour
ney from the remote corner of Maine or
Vermont twice year. but, taking adyan-
tage of steam he could in an almost incredi-
bly, short space of time reach his destina-
ton. Under the old regime bills became
payable twice a year. the spring purchases
being balanced the ensuing fall. This Gus
tom, following the law of change, soon be
came obsolete, and while '' thirty days Is
the usual rule, practically no regular time
Of payment is established between the mcr-
chant and his customer. At this period in
the new formation process, another element,
though natural outgrowth, entered into
the arrangement, that of competition. This
principle Of trade, scarcely known until the
advent of steam, soon began to peryade the
various departments Of trade, and with ra-
pidity spread throughout the entire country.
No longer were the old conservatism and
monopolies Of trade of any avail before the
new era of competitive transactions. Express
companies followed the advance of this new
dispensation, and the merchant in the inte-
rior found himself so happily situated that
the want experienced in the morning was
met by the aid Of the express messenger in
the evening, by the return train.
The propitious time had now arrived 10
set adrilt a new venture on the mercantile
sea-that Of sending samples of stock from
headquarters in the city to patrons in the
country, in order, 50 the polite agent was
pleased to inform the innocent trader, that
the loss Of time and the inconvenience to
which frequent visits TO the city subjected
him, might be obyiated. to say nothing Of
the expense attendant upon the journeys.
The whole system Of trade now seemed per-
feet, the advent Of the commercial agent
was assured, and from that moment until
the present this corps of indelatisable ex-
plorers in pursuit Of conquests, has been
continually on the increase. The cold and
SHOWS Of winter, the heat Of summer, ele-
mentary wariares innumerable-al these.
and other apparently insurmountable obsta-
cles, melt ike snow before the irresistible
onslaught of these modern warriors of
trade.
This class Of workers in the harvest field
of trade may be divided into two general
clasSes-the positive and the negative. As
a rule. the former named are generally ON
the shady side Of thirty, well dressed, but
not foppishly. self-reliant, prepared for any
emergency, gentlemanly in department. well
informed, fluent of >peech-ln fine, keen,
sharp business men, ready to take adyau-
tage of every circumstance that viii assist
ter understand the principles on which all
business Is conducted than these men. They
have also in most cases grown into the busl
ness, having served a regular apprenticeship.
They are experts in reading human nature,
and rarely make a mistake. Having learned
thoroughly the business, they are cognizant
of the wants of their customers, and can
tell at a glance the articles required upon
entering store.
As rule their straightforward, manly
course begets them many friends, and no
class of tadesmen have the confidence ofthe
people with whom their business connection
brings them in contact than does the posi-
tive runner" Many Of their routes are
long and fatiguing. they depending on the
stage-coach and private teams for many long
weary miles in the execution their calling.
After once procuring a customer, they sell
dom lose him, the trader expecting their
calls at stated periods with the same regu-
laritv as the movements Of the seasons.
Their talk Is not all 3" trade. but they are
ever ready to engage in conversation that
appears to interest their patrons. No mat
ter how far from home, how fatigued no
matter how hot or cold the weather Is, appa-
rentlv they take no note of it, but let their
good nature and interest in the concerns of
their customer make themselves known and
felt on every occasion.
These positive - Boston runners are in
deed class by themselves No individual
who has ever become acquainted with any Of
these gentlemen can doubt it.
As Boston Is said to have the best dressed
merchants in the world, 50 their representa-
tiyes of the mercantile interests of that city
model closely after their employers There
is a dash. an independence, a gO-ahead-itiye
ness to these men that no other runners in
the country attain to. Knowing that the
basis of all business expectations rests upon
strict justice and veracity, they endeavor to
embody these principles in all their actions.
Few people realize to what amount the credit
that Boston enjoys to-day as a city graced by
honorable merchants, Is due 10 the character
and bearing of the representatives dcs-
cribed.
OF course there are exceptions. for in
what association will not exceptions exist?
but as lair-minded, enterprising, honorable
men they should be respected men who by
probity, and honest dealing have gained fair
names. and who are daily adding lustre to
the regulations Of those whom they rep
resent.
Their numbers are constantly increasing
as new avenues of trade open. and while
they have to battle with rogues, iebufs. and
the thousand perplexities that daily beset
them, their course is onward. No class Is
more maligned and misrepresented than these
men have always been. The term or appel
lation given to their calling sounding as
standing reprOach. No men, whose busi-
ness Is no older than theirs, are impressing
an influence on the mercantile interests Of
the country Of greater importance in its re-
suits than they are quietly, Systematically,
accomplishing. 1t would be interesting TO
trace the operations of these men further, as
it is a subject that cannot be quickly ex-
hausted but another phase of the subject
demands the readers attention, and this Is
the negative class, composing the " Boston
runners
They may possess many of the features
that their more worthy co-laborers have,
may be fashionably attired. polite and agree
able in conversation. and, for while, would
seem to deceive the very elect, but when
the test is applied, and they are tried in the
crucible of searching analysis, their worth
lessness becomes at once apparent, and they
sink to the level they are designed to occupy.
Thevdo not enter the business from love to
it. and feel no attachment whatever for it.
Hence, the first trying position in which
they are placed shows their true value. Hav-
ing no particular aim in life. If an opportu-
nifty presents itself they enter the employ OF
some honorable firm, and perhaps through
chicanery succeed to the situation made va
cant by the promotion of some trusted man;
They start out on tour, taking the ground
often gone over by their predecessor: Into
the thoughts of these negative people busi-
ness never enters. They look upon the tour
as sort of pleasure trip, in which they
can crafty their tastes and inclinations by a
jaunt in the cars through strange country,