The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-15
DARLING LITTLE DEUMMERS.
oretty Females Who Have Joined the Ranks
of the Commercial Tourists.

OIL the commercial TOURISTS.
Louisville Courier journal.
''There is new thing in the drummer line, ="
said Chicago travelling man, yesterday, to a
reporter, pointing to a handsome lazy OF some
twenty years, who went hustling by with a neat,
square sample in one hand and a light
vaiise slung over her shoulder by tan-colored
strap.
What is it2' quered the reporter
"A female commercial tourist" replied the
drummer. She represents large Ohio cracker
factory. and tell you she is a hustler. / have
met her frequently during the last few months
and the rival who would outsell her must keep
wide awake. 1 was standing in large general
store at Bloomington, Ind, few days
ago when she came. Besides myself, two or
three other mercantile evangelists were standing
ABOUT awaiting an opportunity to talk business
to the proprietor who was waiting a cUsto-
mer. The young lady spoke to Us in pleasant
ousiness-like way, walked up and shook HANDS
IN friendly manner with the store-keeper
placed her grip on the counter, and moment
later was inspecting the shelves and invoicing
the cracker ald cake supply. One of my friends
was in the same line Of business as the new
conner, and he began to look uneasy as the girl
hustled about every once in while putting
down something in an order-book Which she held
in one hand.
she went on quietly in this way until the
proprietor's customer was disposed Of. and then
before we fellows had an opportunity to open
our heads. had told the man what he was in
need of, shown some new goods in the cracker
and cake line, taken good big order and closed
with the pleasantly made injunction not to buy
until she came round again. My cracker drum
ming friend was completely paralyzed and was
terribly cut up over the sickness with which
his feminine competitor had captured his
toner. We afterward learned at the hotel that
the lady, who had arrived In town later than We
had been told that cracker man was in the
party, and learning his Whereabouts, had gone
directly in to sell against him. She was per-
fectly ladylike throughout, but was all business
and full of pluck and energy
1T strikes me-" suggested the reporter, that
while ladies may make good drumners they are
a little out Of their sphere when entering that
line"
~ agreed with her there" was the reply
but wish you would show me something that
women won't attempt nowadays. They have
invaded the stores. banks hotels, telegraph and
printing Offices and pretty much everything else,
and no doubt will soon crowd the Men out Of
certain branches of business altogether. l think
they should stay off the road, however as it is a
rough life at best, ard not calculated to add to
ones refinement or prestige. Travelling men
are thrown in contact with all classes of people,
adapt himself to the station of life in
which his customer abides. that is generally
the most successful. The ladies cannot do this,
principally because they know too little of the
ways OF the world, and because even if knowing,
their natural refinement would not permit them
to descend from the plane of gentility they &C.
cupy."
You do rot think, then, the innovation will
prove popular one!'
"No. There are certain branches in which
tn y can do well, but they are few
Il should think they would do well as repre-
seItatives Of millinery and notion houses, as
they are experts in those things suggested the
reporter
There is just where you are wrong. While
they have ali the requirements of taste and
Judgment, they have to dea! generally with
women, as they are generally the buyers of no
tons, millinery, and white goods. etc. and
have found that woman who holds the posi-
ton of proprietor, even buyer, rather looks
down on her sister who takes to the road and
refuses her the audience she would graciously
permit salesman Of the opposite sex. L know
one lady who travels for spice and baking
powder house, another who represents large
Chicago shoe house, and still another who is in
the hardware line, but not one who tries to sell
millinery notions"
Don't ladies run many chances of rough treat
ment or insult when running about among
strangers?'
mot necessarily. A lady is safe anywhere if
she exercises proper discretion and preserves her
modesty and dignity. OF course. if she begins
to sit up with the gang drink beer and see the
sun rise over the poker table, sho will lay herself
liable to rOu III treatment"