The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-09-18
A TRAVELLING SALESMAN.

Eyes, with You once more, Edelin,.
Not here on business this time, how.
ever, on the way back to New
York"
He was handsome and engaging
fellow, this Harry Hammond, and
his voice had hearty freshness in il
as he replied to the clerk in the Office
of the Mansion House. Baltimore, this
crisp May evening on which our sto.
~ opens.
For several years he had been one
of the most valuable travellers of the
famous New York house of Smart &
Main. He had finished Baltimore
some weeks previous; and said good
bye to the hotel clerk, with whom he
had formed quite an acquaintance /;
and, as on former occasions of the
travelling season, Edelin, (how many
commercial travellers may recall that
geptlemanly clerks individuality p
had not expected to see him again for
months.
Yet here was Hammond, sprung
almost with the suddenness of jack
from box, grip in hand, and smll-
ingly requested
1.-The same old room, Edelin,, if it's
vacant. please"
Something out of the usual course
was transporting within the life of the
young traveller. He was of fine
physique, manly countenance, affable
manner. a fine conversationalist,
without over.effusiveness, 3S years of
age, and-a bachelor. A welI-kept
man, too, was he, being living ex-
ample of the denial of the worlds
general opinion of men of his craft !;
for the opinion is uniustly popular
that the commercial traveller is COM
prised. on the average, of mere mech
anism, brass, dudish vanity, and dis
solute attributes, selling by stereotype
ed persistency and obnoxious ubI-
quitousness, spending the whole of
salary upon the vain back, or dissi-
pating 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 a
high order of intelligence, superior
quickness of perception, an essential
keenness of business method, a con-
stantly proper care of person and
morals, and a dignity in keeping
with the commercial prominence of
the firm they represent. Their con-
tact with the world yields them a
vast experience in men and methods,
and the very roughness of the world
imparts polish of manner worthy of
imitation by many who profess to be.
but fall far short of the title of gen.
tlemen.
Many are the strange experiences
that these working bees of the mer-
chant 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 ofSmart
& Main was old Richard Girard, one
of the Landmark" clothiers of BaIti-
more. Hammond was in favor with
the old gentleman, and fair Laura
Girard. who had long ago become ac-
quainted with the handsome traveller
at her fathers immense establish
ment, was accustomed to greet him
cordially whenever he came to the
city,
Everyone must remember the ex-
traordinary dizziness of trade in the
fall of '76-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 at the rear, where Mr..
Girard then was. But in a small an
te-room he paused Involuntary, for
a remarkable exclamation came to
his ears in the voice of the beautiful
Laura. She was evidently address.
ing her father, and her voice was al
most sobbing.
Dear father" she said. brokenly,
"strive to bear up. Perhaps you are
anticipating too much. This may lie
but a passing apprehension of yours,
and"
mo. no." interrupted his tremu-
lous voice,"I fear it is already known
on the street that l am on the verge
of bankruptcy. cannot see my way.
Matters are indeed dark for me
But there! / am sick at heart.
shall 60 home. l must have air."
And abruptly he hurried forth to the
street. without as much as noticing
Hammond. who stood almost on the