Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-10-12
The New Partner.
BY H. s. KELLER.

Jack Roberts was one Of thos,
jolly drummers whose entranc,
ilto the country merchants storl
4 productive Of fun, frolic ant
business. 1t has been {. standing
diadem in Jacks commercial
career that he has never yet beer
''skunked." Now this assertion
may seem broad, il may cover toe
much ground for veracity's sake
However, Jack Roberts has time
and time again reiterated it; and,
as he is O truthful member of O
thoroughly truthful fraternity,
why, we must take his word foi
all he says. He was travelling for
the firm OF Winslow & Payson,
leather-dealers. Just before he
took his departure for the West.
Payson, the junior member OF
the firm, mentioned the fact to
him that when he went out on his
next trip it would be to represent
q new frm. Then. for the FIRST
time, Jack learned that Mr.. Wins
low was going to retire, and that
in q few months the firm would
be known as Payson & Brown.
The latter was q Western man Of
means, who had lived all his life
beyond the broad Mississippi. In
fact. PAyson himself was from the
West. and Tisdale Brown was an
old chum OF bis.
Jack Roberts was very sorry to
hear Of Mr.. Winslow's proposed
retirement, for he liked the old
gentleman for two reasons--6rst,
that be was the father Of Mabel.
Mabel was Jacks sweetheart
on the sly. though it be, yet none
the less promised to him. heart,
hand and fortune, when things
should come right. This last
meant much, and jack feared be
never would be able to reach the
point when he could manfuliy
ask the old gentle man for his
child and back up his request
with . good 'nest-egg" in the
bank.
Another reason why he liked
the old gentleman was because
the latter had helped him once in
financial trouble; though throw
ing in q little ADVICE about horse
racing and buying pools at the
same time for which Jack thanked
him. and promised to remember
his kindly words.
Well, Jack had made his West
ern trip. and alter short stop to
see some old patrons in Buffalo,
he took the day express for
Albany. In front Of him wac
seated q long, lank. yellow-haiIe ed
chap, clad in ill-6tting garments.
It was evident that he had trav-
sled far and was heartily sick OF
It. He moved uneasily about in
his seat, munched peanuts. put
the window up and down, walked
to and from the water-tank, and
did all the thousan5 and one
things necessary for killing time
and shortening a long journey.
Jack Roberts was too old
traveller to let this pass unnoticed,
and finally thought be would re-
lieve the nervous individual by
engaging him in conversation.
So he leaned forward, aud. tap
ping the other upon the shoulder.
asked for . match. There is
nothing connected with all the
many incidents which make up
the circumstances Of car travel
that will so quickly break the ice
between entire strangers as the
mere asking for a match Jack
had found it SO; and the same
old scheme worked to q charm.
The stranger accepted cigar
from Jacks case; also took seat
by Jacks side. The train whirIed
rapidly along the fine couatry in
the central part Of New York
State, and finally Jack proposed
. game Of cards to pass the time
away.
Al this proposal the stranger
started uneasiIy and gazed "a,
Jack, rs though in suspicion.
Finally, after q brief hesitation.
be said,
II do play cards, that is, some
times; but--with strangers--l
don't know about it."
I'm surprised; thought
every travelling man played
cards" ventured Jack. somewhat
taken back at the Others broad
remark.
but 1 don't claim to be I
travelling man. Out in Texas WI
do. our travelling mostly on horse
Lack. II has one advantage"
"What might that bef" asket
Jack.
''Not SO many sharpers read.
to draw q man on" the Texai
cody replied.
Jack was a trifs angry; he hat
taken great pains to relieve th
other Of his nervousness; ha,
drawn him into conversation, an,
had proposed game Of cards
only to bs snubbed, nay, insulte'
for his trouble. He did not ven
ture to speak for minute or two
he knew there would be an angr
ring 10 his words, and, above u
things, Jack especially desired
keep his temper. Finally he r.
marked:
Il see you take me for o car
sharp"
II didn't say so," simply r.
piled the Texan.
"No matter; I'm sorry, ihougl
D. -. ~o1v aoof a efi.xu,a ~,