The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-21
Brother TaImage on Drummers.

Last Sunday Brother TALMAGE preached to
drummers-not the youth who beat drums
at the head Of military PROFESSIONS, but the
men who travel about the country soliciting
trade for the commercial houses by which
they are employed. There are now hundreds
and thousands of these enterprsng gentle
men journeying hither and thither through
the land. II you are close observer, You
will detect them at the country taverns by
their confident manner, which sometimes
even degenerates into cheek. Their
business begets n degree Of as
surancc In them; but they have become
very important class In mercantile business,
and Brother TALMAGE might have addressed
wise words of advice to the drummors.
Their temptations arc great, for they are
wayfarers, and in order to strike bargain
they will sometimes stretch the truth
as they ought not to do. Their effort Is
TO send in as many orders TO their en-
ployers "a possible and thus TO magnify
their Office. Just now, owing TO the con-
spiracy to make President by fraud, the
drummcrs are doing badly; and II Brother
TALMAGE could fortify their souls with re-
ligious consultations, he would do them n
service.
But we fear what he said on Sunday will
do the drummcrs little good. for they are
keen set of fellows, and they are quick TO dis
cover "a fraud. Brother TALMAoE thought
the drummers could "stand sermon Of
warm hearted sympathy" We suppose they
could, but what would please them better
would be a revival of business, SO that they
could readily fill their order books. The
a. l.. tl...t
afforded by country merchants when they
take what the drummers have 10 sell by
sample. Still, warm interest u their spr-
itual welfare ought ~ be good for the drum
mers.
Brother TALMAar felt II his duty 20 invcs-
tigate what they carry in their portmanteaus
besides their samples. He found pack Of
cards among the things, and thought that
unnecessary. OF course it is unnecessary,
but 1t may serve to bcguile the drcary rail-
way travel Of the drummer; and perhaps 10y
bringing the pack out Of an evening at tho
tavern he may win the regard OF customer
who is fond Of a game Of poker or railroad
euchre, at which the stakes shall be small
but sufficient to add interest to the pursuit Of
pleasure Cards are often misused, and
gambling IL foolish vice, for in the long
run the man who thinks to make money by
chance always comes out badly; though
where the same party play honestly and
discrectly for months together. and have
about equal ability in the game, they are
pretty sure TO come out about even. We
however, advise drummcrs TO never play
for money. Their salaries are small, and
they ought not 10 risk anything at cards
Let them play without stakes; for game
of whist or euchre or piquet may be- made
very entertaining wherc no money IL in
volycd, and the whole idea is simply TO dis
play the skill Of the players.
Brother TALMAGEals found a brandy flask
in the drummers valisc. That should not
be there except for use in sickness Really
good brandy Is beyond the means Of drum
mer; and, any way, good or bad it never
should be drunk by any one, unless possibly
in very small quantities after a heavy din
nor. There is more drunkenness i'm brandy
than in any other liquor, and Of all men 4
drummer should keep his head level.
Brother TALMAGE asked the drummer'
how they were going TO spend their oven
ings. 1t was pertinent question, though
they may have thought otherwise. Our adj
Nltc llltln II W Sll'ill llic fN'Hlllp III uHt
full reading, and conversation with thought
full men. If theycannot get hold of a book
let them preserve THE Sun and peruse 4
with care at night. There IL a surprising
fund OF information to be got out OF these
four pages, and those people who carelessll
skim them over in the morning and thcl
throw the paper away, make great mistake
rHESUN is edited with great care, even in III
minor departments; and nowhere else vii
you find the news OF the day SO completely
tersely, and pithily presented in good, pol
shed English as In these pages. Brothe
TALMAGE told the drummers not TO go l.
the theatre. As a rule thoy had better no
go, for they should save their money; but
the play IL good and the company fine, we d
not object TO their going once in a Will,
Sometimes n man gcts solid instruction, Il
we'll as amusement, by going to II theatre
Brother TALMAGE did what he ought no
" have done when he said: - say to you
JOHN MORRIssEY Is not dead yet. ! wish T.
GOD he was" Tho remark drew out laugh
ter and applause but the people who cOul'
indulge in elthor ut such gross impiety mus
have boon very silly lot II We accept tn
tsrhing Of CHRIST, are wo not forced to ne
knowledge that " wish man dead Is