Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-03-18
THE DIAMOND DRUMMER.
Men with Big Fortunes In
their Vest Pockets.
One of them Speaks Interestingly of His
Life and Experiences

One of them Speaks Interestingly of His
Life and Experiences
"My life is anything but "A life OF
ease and pleasure" said a veteran
travelling salesman for one OF the
largest diamond houses in America,
seated in an easy chair at an uptown |
club. II have been on the road tor
over twelve years, and have Travelled
all over America and Europe" con-
tinued he, taking an easier position on
his chair and lighting cigar. at is
sometimes wonder to myself to think
of what l have been through and lived.
I spend ten months out Of the twelve
on the road, and live nearly always
on the train or boat. / seldom stop at
a city longer than two or three days
l must stop at the best hotels, on ac-
count of the valuable property carry.
| start out on my trips twice a year,
from New York, in May and Novem-
ber, taking sl5O,OOo to 100000 worth
of stones with me each trip. 1 have a
regular route that 60 over once a
year. take the west in on my May
trip and 60 south as far as Mexico in
November. am treated much more
courteously than the ordinary jewelry
salesman by the people to whom lsell.
In the first place, my having such an
enormous amount of property in my
pockets commands certain kind OF
respect There is a curious fascination
about diamonds that few mel can
resist. Nearly everybody loves to look
at them and watch the different effects
of light on them in various positions.
When diamond drummer enters a
store and makes known his business,
he is generally invited back into a
private room and asked to show his
stock. If a stone suits customer,
instead of ordering so many by sample,
he buys at once, gives his note and the
transaction is complete"
"How do you carry your diamonds?
"In cases like this" replied the
salesman, taking out Russian leather
case shaped like common envelope,
1t was about six inches long by four
broad and sewed together with strong
silk thread. 1t was lined with oiled
silk, and fitted on the inner back with
two compartments also envelope shape.
When folded up two heavy bands OF
elastic held the laps. 1t looked like an
ordinary pocketbooll. THAT little
book" continued he, "will carry about
| $4,000 worth of diamonds. Nice pile
eh ? l have my vests especially made to
accommodate these cases. l have seven
of them and pockets for each one. All
the pockets are on the front of the
vest and strongly protected from pick
pockets. An effective protection
against the knife of the pickpocket is a
fine gauze of steal sewed next to the
cloth of the vest. Very few can go
through that in the snort time they
have to work. Inever take my vest
off, even while I am sleeping. have
never lost dollars worth by robbery
or otherwise"
"Of course you go armed?"
"Well, slightly" replied he with a
quiet smile, reaching back of him ant
bringing out IN improved Colts re-
volver, 3S-caliber. 81 carry two OF
these with me or two Colts deringel
pistols when on the road. | lpractlct
shooting regularly, and l think car
hit a tive-cent piece at fifty PAGES
al can tell you the life of diamond
broker is one that requires nerve, ant
great deal Of sharpness. In the wes
last summer, on my way from Denver
to Chicago, discovered | was FOLLOWED
by man who had got wind Of my
vocation and the diamonds l carried
with me. I had an alligator-skir
travelling bag, which | had put up il
the rack over my head in the RAILROAD
car. He evidently thought l was foo
enough to put my diamonds in tina
bag, by the way he eyed it. Alta little
way station, about one hundred mile
this side of Denver, we had twent.
minutes for dinner. | went out Will
the rest, leaving the bag in the rack
Instead of going to the dinner table
took up my stand by the window looR
ing toward the cars. I saw this feI
low walk up to the rack, take down til
bag and throw the strap of it over hi
shoulders. With satisfied smile h
walked down the steps of the car, an
started out through the station. !
shot from my revolver caused him t
stop and nearly frightened him t
DEATH lie gave up the bag, whlc
! only held some soiled linen and sue
things, and l let him go. have som
adventure every time l go out, an
; some day suppose some one will Xxi
: me-" and he laughed lightly and turI
! ed to other subiects.-NeD York Ne,c
Their Nose Rings Torn Out.
Jewels on children have at all time
heen n source of crime Within I'll