The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-10-10
The Merchant Drummer.

One Of our shrewd mercantile friends the
other day, after laughing heartily over a little
by saying: Well, wonder if the right kind
of an advertisement wouldn't have done Mr.
Thistle as much good and cost him less money"
The story was as follows:
A good natured little fellow, with frost in
his blond moustache and an appreciative twin
kle in his blue eye, steps into the sanctum,
and, with q few common remarks about the
weather, the snow, the detention of the trains,
the slippery condition OF every thing in general,
throws himself into the most comfortable
chair in the room, and proceeds to relate the
following good thing on drumming:
Tie staGnation of trade has been severely
felt by all business men, and even that enter
prising class of fellow-creatures known as
" Drummers," or travelling statesmen, despite
sources, have been obliged occasionally to
yield to the pressure of the times:
One of these gentlemen, who has recently
returned from a trip for Thistle Bros & Co.,
of this city, did not show very large exhibi-
ton of orders TO balance the liberal expense
account allowed him by the firm, and mir.
Thistle after looking over his return, said:
"Mr. Rataplan, am afraid you do not ap-
proach the dealer in the right way. 1 used to
be very successful in this line. Now just sup:
pose me to be Mr.: higher, Of sellSut, H. and
Accordingly Ratsplan stepped out of the
counting room and returned, hat in hand, in
curing:
as Mr.. Bigher in ?"
"Thats my name" said Mr.. Thistle, ur-
banely.
MY name is Rataplan, sir ; 1 represent the
house of Thistle Bios. & Co., of Boston.
(Thistle, in his character of Western merch ant,
here arose and offered the salesman chair,
and expressed pleasure at seeing him) am
| stopping at the Stickem House, and have hne
unspoken lot of samples, which should like
| to show you; / think can offer you some
| special advantages" etc.
And Mr.. Rataplan delivered himself of a
neat speech in professional style.
Every we'll, very we'll, said Thistle, 81 don't
see but that you understand the way to get
customers"
Excuse me, Mr.. Thistle" said Ratsplan
al am afraid you do not understand the style
of the Western merchants just now. Suppose
you change places with me, and repeat this re-
hearsal ~
hat he stepped out. Returning, he found Rata
plan, with his chair tipped back, hat cooked
fercely over his right eye, his heels planted or
| Thistles polished desk, and lighted cigar be
| tween his teeth.
Thistle looked q little staggered, but never
theless he commenced:
els Mr.. Bigher inf"
eyes he is," responded Rataplan, blowing
cloud of pure Connecticut into Thistle's eyes
What in = are youp
81 represent the house of Thistle Bros. d
Co." said the astonished employer, coughing
out about quart of smoke from his throat.
"The blazes you do. Are you one of tina
concernf
"No, sir, am not" said Mr.. Thistle.
"Well, it's - lucky you are not, for Pv
had two drummers to one customer in my stor
for the last two months, and if could get hol
of one of the blasted fools that sent 'em out a
this time, I'm darned if wouldn't boot hir
clean out of the town of Sellout."
"Thatll do, Mr.. Rataplan,~ said Thistle
al have no doubt you did the best you coul
for the interest of the house. Trade is 1ittl
!; dull"