Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-03
CORRESPONDENCE.

1 A Commercial Travellers Experience i'm BrattleborO, Vermont. IN DEPOT AT BRATTLEBoRo. Vr September 2. ] To the Editor of the JOURNAL COURIER: To-day l start out upon the twenty-third | year of business life under singular circum- stances, although only varied by slight differ
 ences from what I have often experienced be- fore as commercial traveller. I ana writing 1 by the light of 8 dimly burning kerosene ! lamp, while important walters (like myseIf)
 are walking up and down the depot platform,
 or yawnlng and lounging about and asking 1 questlons ot the station men-if they know where the tardy train is now, and when if ia expected to arrive, and if it is always late and why 1t does not arrive and dozens of other inquiries, which could be written ont and printed and read off in any part of the country under like circumstances.
 It IS raining, and very hard too, for we are having fearful thunder storm. Yesterday
 was particularly busy, and, in short. have
 been so for months of late never knew
 time when business was so good lon the
 road" as now. did not get to my room last
 night until late hour. and gave particular
 instructions to be called promptly at four
 o'clock, as train time was 4:20 a. m If
 seemed as if I had just fallen asleep when the
 porter knocked and shouted ''Ten minutes
 past four, and sprang from the bed know
 ing had but just ten minutes to dress and
 get to the depot. I heard it rain and saw by
 the frequent flashes of lightning what I
 must expect if I was to get to the
 depot for the fowl train" south. I tried to bribe the porter to go with me and carry part of my baggage, but he declined, for 1t was raining in torrents in fact it could not rain harder. So, grasping my baggage
 went out. Did ever see such a sight when outside the hotel door There are no street lamps In Brattleboro, or if any there are, none were burning and it was as dark as Egypt. But I was bound to ''go" So starting down the street the first thing I did was to run plump into horse post, for it was impossible to see two feet ahead-except by the lightning flashes. Knowing that it was already time for the train was all in a furry to get to the station, and Tn the darkness-part of the time was in the middle of the street and twice I was laundering in the tall grass and mud somewhere, I don't know where-either on the street-side or in some lot. Every one who has been in this Vermont city knows that from the Brooks House to the depot is a direct road except a single right-angie turn: put where to make the turn was the question. blundered along, frequently stepping of the nigh curbstones into the gutters, which were small rivers (for the streets are very Steep) and 1t seemed as if I was stepping of 3 house. Of course I missed my way. and
 l put to certainty that I was lost, and so to find some shelter, for it was ,alnlng in torrents, and wait until day. lght- l had made my way so far as had gone by the aid of the lightning, put frequently it was so vivid that was blinded by it and could see nothing at all.
 ust then saw something white and I re- nemoered 1t was marble yard I noticed omlng up from the depot the night before. O 1 made for the spot and waited until the lghtnIng flashed again and then took my bearings" 'It is an i'll wind that blows no ood, so says the adage, and it proved true n this case, for had the train been on time I hould have surely missed it, for I had cen long enough in going the istance l had been, had I taken a rect course, to travel the ground over half dozen times. I was there at last, but in hat a plight! Dripping wet from head to oot and the precipitation dropping off my zee almost as fast as it was raining outside. o just sat down, wrung out my drenched othes and let it rain and thunder and ghtnlng as much as it chose to.
 I am in the depot now, as have already .ld, and writing you this letter and thinking putting an advertisement in your paper ,r commercial traveller who is willing to Ike my placeto sell ''the New Haven Ruff 3" on the road MCS