The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-08-04
DRUMM ERs.
How Some OF Them Attempt "a
Evadc the License Law In. Cali.

eign commercial travellers should b
compelled to "ante up the sum o
1875 per quarter Tor the privilege @
pursuing their occupation there, was
decided protest from the drummeri
The objection, however, came almos
entirelyirom the gentlemen from othe
states, who claimed that If such licens
was enforced in every county of Cali
fornia, it would virtually shut then
out of business IN this state. Tn
representatives of local bnsiues
houses generally come promptly to thu
front, making virtue ofnece'sity, in
asmuch as the ubiquitous collector
would not have much difficulty in oh
tanning the amount of license from
| the principals of the various houses
| The taxgatherers were diligcDt, how
ever, and drummcrs arriving by steam
er aud trains from other parts of the
union were promptly waited on aud
were given to understand that a shin.
lug twenty with its quarter accom-
panimenl would not be looked upon
coldly at the new city hall. In con-
sequence of the vigorous manner in
which the law was carried out, the
Representatives OF the larger foreign
houses, who found good field for
their wares in this city, Immediately
upon reaching here paid visit TO the
municipal headquarters and secured
the necessary certificate, emitting
them to the freedom of the city and
county. The temptation of saving the
shekels, however, was too great for
many of the travellers, and calming
their conciences with the excuse that
they would be here "but week or
two anyhow they studied out va
rious schemes by which to circum-
vent the collectors. The most COM
mon one is to record delicious names
upon the hotel registers, and upon be.
ing assigned an apartment spread out
their wares. Before leaving the
house oil the morning following TO
pursue their business II quiet pointer
is given the hotel clerk to send any
one to their room, presenting their
business card, which of course bears
their proper cognonen. The collect
ors glancing over the registers III
search of game quite naturally look
over the plain autograph, Joel Simp.
kius, Saucelito, aud the clerk bent on
protecting his guest, is not communi-
cative. The scent of the collector,
however, is good, and drummers eff
fccting a sale will fall iuto the iadis-
elimination OF whispering their for
tune in the appreciatiye ear of the
"barkeeper,n or cigar man. The follow
ms day he is greatly pleased at re-
celviug visit from a smooth, business
like individual who is about opening
a place of business in town, and needs
quite stock ofpreciscly the waTesof
which Mr...Simkin has numerous sup
plies. The genteel drummer is pro-
fuse in his display of
stock and liberal in his
Perhaps assumes friendly turn, and
Simpkins is IAN to offer his prospec-
tive customer n % cent Havana cigar
and glass of wine, both of which are
accepted with many thanks. The Wis
itor my remark on the bucolic flavor
of the fashionable young travellers
name aud the delightful climate of
SIucelito. This is too much for Simp-
kins, and the joke is let out with many
"he! he's ~ aud "ha ha'sw in which
the visitor Joins heartily. The latter
at length signifies his intention of dc
parting, aud us he leaves his hospitable
companion hands him slip of paper.
"My card" he smilingly adds. The
condition of mind into which Mr..
Simpkins Is thrown and the language
which he uses are both indoscribablc
when he glances at the psucdo-mer-
chants card and finds notice TO i'm
mediately apply to the license col
lccIor's office and pay up or suffer the
penalty of the law. lie generally
pays. 1t was the drummer of an east
ern chair house, who had visited san
Francisco several times, on each occa-
sion evading the license. His boasts
to brethren in the business were very
loud. and to many he made known his
principal dodge. The clever little iu-
dividual who is detailed specially to
look after the drummers was not long
in learning ii also, aud patiently bid
ed his time. On July 4, last, the
drummer arrived on the overland
train aud duly registered at the Pal
ace under the name OF u well known
gcntlem II from Portland Oregon.
lie piled his vocation industriously
visiting the leading merchants, aud, If
lllt WIN VI IVY 80 "
be taken, disposed of $1,000 worth Of
goods. The diminutivc collector has
been observed about the hotel quite
frequently since the natal day, and at
early dawn yesterday was ON hand
A lew hours later the drummer gave
orders to have his baggage sent down
rs he would leave again for tho east
on the 3 O'Clock train. Shortly before
departure he was lounging about the
Office, when Il hand decendcd fOrcibll
on his back and quiet voice conchcd
in friendly accents greeted him by
name. Smilingly he turned and me
A small individual. Solicitations passcC
and the latter mentioned having me-
| the drummer in certain eastern city
| The chair man acknowledged the nc
quaintance aud extended cordial in
yitntiOn TO lunch, which the chair maj
accepted. At the meal wine was or
dercd at the drummer's expense
and Jolly time generally was had.
clad good tripr was the littl
fellows natural query.
"You bet your lie, sir was the en-
thusiastic reply. Two thousand dol
lars worth here sure
The ncw-found irlcnus congratulH
tions were proiuse. a good lunc
sent both gentlemen out in a jovit
humOr, lew moments before the dc
parluIc of the hotel coach to carry III
passengers TO the overland. Th
drummer and his friend remained b,
fore the genial Count Smiths lair col
ycrsiUg pleasantly. "Well, now,
must leave YOU" was the represent,
tive OF the chair trades final rcmarl
"Good-by, old fellow; see you in Cil
cinnati." A cordial handshake and i
started TO gather up his hand luggag
Tho little man remained beside hill
and finally he spoke, His remar
caused the drummer's ears to assum
the color of June rose, although
was simply, "Well, before you go let
settle that license"
Ohio chair man gaann1