Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-04-19
The COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.
RY Mrs. u. l.. Rayne.

He was q travelling man. That fact was
conveyed to the other pssSengersion the train
BY his good clothes and comfortable air Of
well.to, do ativeuess as we'll as by his general
bearing of being accustomed to luxuries.
he had the best fare at the best hotels, and
his employers money paid for it as an iu-
vestment that would return sure dividends.
For the rest, he was absent from his family
ne arlv all the time, travelling night aud DAY
in close. hot III ventilated cars, worked like
u machine at every town on his route, and
earned better salary than any professional
man of his ACQUAINTANCE. He was the first
70 make up a purse for q widow or stranded
fellow.trayelpr, and when he read the news.
paper stories of the gay and festive drum
ner he wondered why in the course of his
travels be never met any of the craft. The
men he knew were, like himself, of honor
able record, often inconveniencing them
selves 10 help one another on the way
through.
There was stir at a station, and two
pretty girls came aboard. They laughed
and giggled, threw kisses to their friends at
the depot; gave silly messages and good
byes, and, as the train started, they TOOK a
seat behind the commercial traveller. There
were other seats vrcant but they preferred
this and rustled into it with a series OF little
shrieks and giggles.
Did you see Tom Barlow watching US,
Nelie2 Te-he,he.
He'll be there to meet us when we go
back, Gee if he isn't, Kline Ha. ha!
Say, he's drummer giggled Nellie,
launching her friend toward the front seat.
Too awfuliy swell, amt he2 Oh my!
"Ahem. shem! HoS do wish | knew
what time II is,
The traveller did not make any answer.
His silk hat, as fine and pretenttous as the
hat OF a man who does hts duty aud owes
no man ANYTHING has q right to be, was
pulled down over his eyes; his lips were
compressed, and he reptile by no loof or
motion TO the rude speech o: the merry girls.
Must be swfully stuck up, whisper red
Nellie, but not so low but what the man on
the seat before her heard itidistinctly.
Doesn't notice common people, an
sEered Kirtie with toss Of her head.
These were young ladies, dear reader.
Not hobble-de-hoy schoolgirls or coarse, ill
bred hoydens. They moved in the best so
ciety and their respective fathers and mosh.
ers would have been greatly sstonished to
learn that their daughters tlirted. But, then,
fathers and mothers are usually the last to
know what is going on among their own
young people.
"W.would You be so kind sir, as to Il us
what time it is? asked Nellie in ltlle
meek, far away voice, while her companion
Uttered and looked out of the window.
Both Of the Young ladies wore watches,
as was patent to an observer, but the gentle
man addressed coulI DO nothing less than
answer so direct a question This he did in
brief manner, and with voice that notice
ably trembled.
Poor thing, he is quite overcome" whis-
pered Kittie, audibly. I'm going to want
this window put up pretty soon.
Allow me" said the travelling man re-
spectfully, and the disconserted young lady
blushed and simpered, and sat IN the
draught without protest.
The next move was made by the gentle
man. He took from his pocket a photo
graph and inspected it long and sadly. Tears
welied into his eyes, his face flushed, and he
returned it to his pocket.
The two young ladies did not see the
photograph, at least not to recognize wheth.
or il was man or woman but te he'd and
simperei and even specialized in low
voice as to who it might be-wife or sweet
heart.
Don't tell me he's married, cried kittie
in loud whisper. He hasn't the courage
| to pop the question.
THAT was his grandmother picture,
cbimed in Nellie. Good boy, He carries
it with him so that the old lady will hear Of
it and leave him something in her will.
Then they giggled in chorus, and the
train drew up a. q station where some very
anxious looking faces were pressing forward
as if in search Of some one.
The commercial traveller caught up hi:
satchel and slung it over his shoulder; Their
he took The photograph he had been looking
at out of his pocket, aud turned to the two
Young ladies who began 20 feel little un
comfortable at his manner.
That is the picture OF my little dsugh
ter" he said, holding NJ the counterfeit o
a lovely. smiling child Of six years; she /:
very i'll, and am summoned home, perhaps
to see her ule. DuI Let inc leI you SuaS
would rather thousand times know, a. thi
moment, that the breath Of life had toreyel
passed her sweet lips, than to think sol
could ever grow up into silly, dishoaes
woman, tempting and toying with souls Il
feed her own wicked vanity.
Almost the next moment they saw him OF
the platform, and q fair woman hung Oh
his arm, and his face lighted with plessur
at her words. Bot they two sank back on
Of sight engaged, mortified, yet couscioa
that they had found, in one travelling man
an honestmiuded friend who had dared +
give them q word of needful warning.
tour,S ppESENTMENr.