Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-03-08
Mechancsovn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday, March g. |
A Drummer's Experience.

lows for secret societies. Most all the
drummers belong to everything that
is going on from the Grand Knigut Of
the Diamond Garter down to the Sons
of Temperance. l am quite hand
for all such mysterious things myself,
so | get solid with all the boys. My
old friend Crookston called on me the
tother day to see if I needed any drugs
and to have a visit. We had IL jolly old
time. While we were settln' in the Of.
fee chap came in and wanted to, bor-
row 50 on account Of a remittance not
coming to him as he expected. told
him my 81 l kept to lend was in now,
being sent in the day before by Johnny
McIntlre, but never lent it except to
drummers. He said that's me-
| gave him the grand hailing sign Of
an Odd Fellow which he tumbled to-
Then came the great "hail in the SCOT
grip CT a Pylhonic. He tumbled.-
Then Cook give him the G. B. of the
Sons Of Malta. He was on toit. Then
/ tipped HIM the hair poklng signal Of
a Good Upper He smiled and said'H.
O.. This is Il chemical term, meaning,
waters Then Crook stuck ont his
hand and gave him the noted ?. D. L.
sign of Royal Arch Brick M'son.--
lie got thar on that. Then Crookston
examined him as !ollers, to make sure
he was IL drummer
'Erom whence comest thou, part ~
From the Lodge OF the Holy St. John
Michigan.
| what seek ye here to DO
To take few oruers and collect Il
bill Of "ilson,
Tnen you are a drummer?
i am 50 taken accepted ~ all the
boys.
How may | Know you to be drum
mer?
by my check and my tfW-pound
sample case. Try me
Glow Will you be tlicd "
BY the sQlare?
why hy the square,
Because the square is a magistrate
and an emblem Of stulilitY
IN my mind ?
Where next
In a printing office, adjoining reg
u.ar post Of drummers.'
How, We're you prepared p
by being dlvested of my last cent
nv check ruIbed down with a brick, q
lunlon plaster over each eye, and q
heavy sample case N each hand. In
this fix / was conducted to the door Of
the post
How did you know it was door, be-
ing bliad ?
by first stepping IN 4 coal scuttIe'
and afterwards Dumping my head a
gainst the door knob.
How gained your admission?
BY benefit Of my check.
Had you the required check
4 had not, but Steve Fears had it
for me-,
How were yol received -
On the sharp toe Of boot, applied
to my natural trousers.
What did this teach you '
Not to fool around too much
What happened next
4 was set down Oh cake of ice and
ask if put my trust in mercantile re-
ports.
y our answer
Not if | know myself, don't.
How was you next handled "
I was put straddle of q goat made
out of IL 2 4, trottcd nlne times around
the roola by four worthy brothers and
then brot in front Of the LEI Bower for
! further instructions.
How did he instruct you
30 approach customer in three up
right SECULAR steps, with my business
card extended at right angles, my arms
forming perfect square
How was you then disposed OFF,
was again seated on the cake Of ice
in front Of a dry goods bov and made to
take the following horrible and binding
oath |, Charles S. Robinson, do helcon
and herein most everlastingly and dia-
bolically swear, by the Great Bob Tail
Flush that | will never reveal and al
steal all the trade secrets can for the
use and benefit of this Most August Or
der And | further swear, by the Bald
Headed Jack of Clubs that | will new
er give, carve, make, mold, take or cut
prices below the regular rates. And |
further swe,r, by the Pipes that play.
ed before Moses, to never have any com