Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-03
4 TRAVELLING SALESMAN.

A TRAVELLING SALESMAN.
why, hello, Hammond! Turned up
i'm"
Yes, with you once more, Edelin,. Not
on business this time, however; on the
back to New York"
lie was handsome and engaging fellow,
Harry Hammond, and his voice had a
nv freshness about 1t as he replied to
clerk in the Office of the Mansion House,
tmore, this crisp May evening on which
story opens.
Tor several years he had been one of the
ST valued travellers for the famous New
tx house of Smart Il Main. He had
she'd Baltimore some weeks previous;
said good-by to the hotel clerk, with
ON he had formed quite an acquaint-
re; and as on former occasions of the
Yelling season, Edelin, chow many CON-
rcal travellers may readily recall that
p,lemanly clerks Individuality had not
pected to see him again for months.
Yet here was Hammond, sprung almost
III tie suddenness of a jack from box,
p in hand, and smilingly requesting:
The same old room, Edelin,, if it's va
IT. please"
Something out of the usual course was
aspiring within the life of the young
weller. He was of fine physique, manly
ln,enance, affable manner, fine CONVEX
kicnalist, without r-ettusiveness, SO
prs of age, and-a bachelor. A we'll
pit man, too, was he, being living exam
of the denial OF the worlds general
inion of men of his craft; for the opin-
is unjustly popular that the commercial
Weller is comprised, on an average, of
Ne mechanism, brass, dudish vanity, and
:olute attributes, selling by stereotyped
nistency and obnoxious ubiquitousness,
ending the whole of salary upon the
in back, or dissipating whatever small
lance there may be in riotous living along
eroad The actual character, however,
this average" should demand close
aly on the part Of would-be censors. The
ofession involves high order of intelli-
nce. a superior quickness of perception,
essential keenness of business method, a
Pnstantly proper care Of person and NOR
S. and dignity in keeping with the COM
ercal prominence of the firm they repre-
Flt Their contact with the world yields
Etm vast experience in men and methods,
Ed the very rcughness of the world i'm
arts polish of manner worthy of imita-
lon by many who profess to be, but fall
pr short of, the title of gentleman.
Many are the strange experiences that
hese working bees of the merchant hive
But the most romantic of his own life was
La; which befell Hammond on his visit to
be Monumental City earlier in the season.
Among the merchants who had for some
|ears bought regularly of Smart & Main
Pas Old Richard Girard, one of the land
bark" clothiers of Baltimore. Hammond
Fas III favor with the old gentleman. and
lair Laura Girard. who had long ago be-
ome acquainted with the handsome trav-
Her at her fathers immense establishment,
Vas accustomed to greet him cordially
whenever he came to the city.
Everyone must remember the extraordl-
barry dullness of trade in the fall of 70
Shlth was Just the time that Hammond put
ms appearance to take the merchant
'rcer for the next seasons stock.
ne was requested to step into the private
once at the rear. where Mr.. Girard then
Eas' But in a small ante-room he paused
lVoluntarily, for remarkable exclama-
non came to his ears in the voice of the
beautiful Laura. She was evidently adj
dressing her father, and her voice was al
|Iost sobbing.
Dear father" she said, brokenly,
strive to bear up. Perhaps you are an
ocipating too much. This may be but o
passing apprehension of yours
No, no." interrupted his tremulous
so'ce; " fear it is already known on the
street. that am on the verge of bankrupt
y: cannot see my way. Matters are
indeed dark for me But there! am
sek at heart. l shall go home. must
ia air. And abruptly he hurried forth
=, 'le street, without SO much as noticing
illaImond, who stood almost on the thresh-
Miss Girard?"
:; he broke softly upon her Us she stood
lefe, weeping silently.
iedy.
H. he quickly closed the door behind him,
.ueh Tor one instant gazed upon her with
,u1 saving word. He had always deemed
t .el beautiful. but never was she SO beauti-
'al as low; pale in her sorrow and with the
F'"'n OF tears upon her soft cheeks. Their
~ mastered the warm emotion of love that
'V sS him, and said:
~ lardon my intrusion, please; I had csll-
,ao " see your father. Iregret that have
essentially trespassed upon some private
"uu'ly grievance. shall call again"
NIT; ne bowed and left her. Whatever else
night have been in his heart to say, he lef
auIsaid. ~
NJ Straight to the Superintendent he went
&uo wa was heartily greeted.
e., An, Hammond! We've been waiting
lis, you. See!" and he produced Ions
"S ~ ron an official looking envelope.
,,n L'st ready for me, hey? Ny samples
'ANue on ahead all right, then?"