The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-08-12
A TRAVELLING SALESMAN.

why, hello, Hammond! Turned up
again"
ayes, with You once more, Edelin,. Not
here on business this time, however; on the
way back to New York"
He was a handsome and engaging fellow,
this Harry Hammond, and his voice had a
hearty freshness about 1t as he replied 70
the clerk in the Office of the Mansion House,
Baltimore, this crisp May evening on which
our story opens.
For several years he had been one of the
most valued travellers for the famous New
York house of Smart q Main. He had
finished Baltimore some weeks previous;
had said good-by TO the hotel clerk, with
whom he had formed quite an acquaint-
ance; and, as on former occasions of the
travelling season, Edelin, chow many COM
mercial travellers may readily recall that
gentlemanly clerks individuality had not
expected to see him again for months.
Yet here was Hammond, sprung almost
with the suddenness of jack from a box,
grip in hand, and smilingly requesting:
"The same old room, Edelin,, if it's va
cant, please"
Something out Of the usual course was
transpiring within the life of the young
traveller. He was of fine physique, manly
countenance, atfable manner, n fine CONVEX
sationalist, without over effusiveness, SO
years of age, and-a bachelor. A we'll
kept man, too, was he, being living exam
pie of the denial of the worlds general
opinion of men of his craft for the opin-
ion is unjustly popular that the commercial
traveller is comprised on an average, of
mere mechanism, brass, dudish vanity, and
dissolute attributes, selling by stereotyped
persistency and obnoxious righteousness,
spending the whole of salary upon the
vain back, or dissipating whatever small
balance there may be in riotous living along
the road. The actual character, however,
of this average" should demand close
study on the part OF would-be censors. The
profession involves high order of intelli-
gence, a superior quickness of perception,
en- essential keenness of business method, a
constantly proper care of person and NOR
ais, and dignity IN keeping with the COM
mercial prominence of the firm they repre-
sent. Their contact with the world yields
them vast experience in men and methods,
and the very roughness of the world i'm
parts polish of manner worthy Of imita-
tion by many who profess to be, but fall
far short of, the title of gentleman.
Many are the strange experiences that
these working bees of the merchant hive
tell.
But the most romantic of his own life was
that which befell Hammond on his visit to
the Monumental City earlier in the season.
Among the merchants who had for some
years bought regularly of Smart q Main
was old Richard Girard, one of the land
mark" clothiers of Baltimore. Hammond
was in favor with the old gentleman, and
fair Laura Girard. who had long ago be-
come acquainted with the handsome trav-
eler at her fathers immense establishment,
was accustomed TO greet him cordially
whenever he came to the city.
Everyone must remember the extraordi-
nary dullness of trade in the fall of &c
which was just the time that Hammond put
in his appearance TO take the merchants
order for the next seasons stock.
He was requested to step into the private
Office ut the rear, where Mr. Girard then
was. But in small ante-room he paused
involuntarily, for a remarkable exclama-
lion came to his ears In the voice Of the
beautiful Laura. She was evidently ad-
dressing her father, and Her voice was al
most sobbing.
"Dear father" she said, brokenly,
~strive 10 bear up. Perhaps you are an
ticipating too much. This may be but a
passing apprehension of yours"
"No, no." interrupted his tremulous
voice; II fear it is already known on the
street that l am on the verge of bankrupt
cy. l cannot see my way. Matters are
indeed dark for NE But therel / am
sick at heart. / shall go home. / must
have air." And abruptly he hurried forth
20 the street, without so much as noticing
Hammond, who stood almost on the thresh-
old.
miss Girard?"
He broke softly upon her as she stood
there, weeping silently.
"Mr. Hammond" she exclaimed, start
ledly.
He quickly closed the door behind him,
then Tor one instant gazed upon her with
out saying n word. He had always deemed
her beautiful, but never was she so beauti-
full as now; pale in her sorrow and with the
stain of tears upon her soft cheeks. Then
he mastered the warm emotion of love that
possessed him, and said:
pardon my intrusion, please; had call
ed TO see your father. i regret that have
accidentally trespassed upon some private
family grievance. shall call again"
He bowed and left her. Whatever else
might have been in his heart to say, he left
ii unsaid.
Straight to the Superintendent he went,
and was heartily greeted.
"Ah, Hammond We've been waiting
for you. Seel" and he produced long
list from an official looking envelope.
"List ready for me, heyl My samples
came Oh ahead all right. then2"