The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-30
A DRUMMER'S WISDOM.
WHAT EXPERIENCE AND oBsERvA.
TON HAS TAUGHT AN oLD-TIMER.
Personal Friendship Along the Route
Cannot Prevail Against Bargains, and
II It Should an Examination OF the
Records is Advisable.

1t has been remarked in prose and
poetry, that the eagle is king Of the tribes
OF the air, @ronauts excepted. For this
reason and as type of her greatness over
all the nations of the world, the confedera-
ton of States over which Grover presides
has chosen it as her special pet. So great
is the admiration OF patriots for the eagle,
that Mr.. Rogers who once ruled the realm
of Court square, like as Grover rules the
country, brought on two specimens Of the
tribe and turned them loose in his domain.
This was all well enough until thesergeant
began appeasing their appetites for meat
with young and tender morsels Of human
ity. Then there was kick, and the eagle
was dispatched hence. 1t afterwards
transpired that his importation was nothing
more than delegation from the French
buysart, q species OF the falcon. But this
has nothing TO do with the matter in re-
view. The only specimens now known to
be in this city are in the halls OF the
Knights of the Green Cloth, where the
visitors can secure odds OF about sixty TO
bilcs Aol Nlc lOiSSolllS iNtHpli, anu ollltlH
too num0ous TO mention, the eagle has
long been regarded rs the greatest bird
that lles.
This superstition, handed down, prob
ably, from the dark ages is gradually
disappearing. Within a few decades,
unless public sentiment about faces
and continues its march, there is another
bird that will sink the eagle to q level with
the English sparrow and jaybird. The
rising article is the drummer, alias the
travelling salesman; alias commercial evan
gelist tourist and other. enphonious titles.
But the gold old American name is "the
drummer '-GerInan, "der drummer" He
is destined TO become the greatest bird that
flies. Much has been written in praise OF
this angel Of fortune 10 the wholesale city
dealer and his country supporters, and
some few linesin criticism OF graded harsh
ness. With all these The APPEAL has
nothing 10 do, rs the drummer is q modest
man and swallows the words Of praise
showered upon him with becoming grace
and dignity, and Is able to fight his own
battles when fored upon him.
Well, what the dickens are YOU trying 10
get att some one may ask. Oh, nothing
but to pave the way for reproducing re-
mark caught on the fly by an APPEAL re-
porter few nights since. II tends 10 dis
pei popular superstition hanging over
this great American institution, that of
personal fayoritsm in the sale OF goods.
A trio Of the finest specimens were lingcr-
ing in each others company on promi-
nent corner Il was evident from the dust
that chung with firm embrace 10 their hair,
ears and clothes that they were Just in
from busy tour Naturally they fell
into conversation about their successes and
failures Two Of the party had been along
eirroutine route and gathered in all their
old customers, sold handsome bills and
Were accordingly happy. 30 were the
firms for which they travelled. The other
member had fallen into tough places, new
TO him, hut iavontes with his brethren,
who had visited them long and oft. lie
was compelled to meet cuts in prices aud
put forth oil his persuasive eloqucnce.
lie did It aud sent in surprisingly large
and reliable orders. His experiences,
taken ~ q whole, were not OF that rosy
hue that bughtens his countenancc with q
perpetual smile. Yet he was satisfied, and
observed, in closing the friendly con.
ference:
"You may console yourselves with the
belief that personal popularity has great
the road, but don't look at il that way.
] have been in the profession more years
than have fingers but have never yet
found such n rosy path. Popularity is all
very we'll, and il enables fellow TO have
nice time socially, but II don't sell goods.
You may travel one route till doom 4
dawn, but just LET a rival brother come
along with better samples and lower prices
and you dou't get the orders. No, sir; its
hustling from the time you start out till
you return, or a hearing Of the riot act
rom employers. i have run into very
jew places where my house a Memphis
irm has been unable TO meet competition
oi all kinds, and ! admit that, other things
being equal, large area Of territory il
friendly toward Memphis. But none Of
my customers are willing TO nub st. Louis,
Louisville, Kansas City, Cincinnati and
other cities when they olIer better bargains,
and when they did, would at once ex.
anime the records TO determine his stand