The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-21

nave no HESITATION In saying Uhat Crlnk~
ing has decreased among drummers fully so
per cent. during the past ten years. This
statement is Gased upon careful observa
ton. 1t was common thing several years
ago to meet with drummers on open and
reckless sprees, but that is very raie now.
A salesman who cannot cont. ol his appetite
for liquor is to great extent, looked down
upon by his fellow travellers, and sooner or
later Is "side-tracked" by his employers.
-
Whilst drinking and even profanity have
greatly decreased among the knights of the
grip, it must be said that the vice Of gam
bling, or playing cards for money, is still
largely prevalent among them. | know of
several drummers who do not drink a drop,
neither do they swear, yet they are inveter-
ate card-players and frequently take hand
for money.
Poker, Of course, is the favorite game
among the boys, while "hearts, 'penuckle"
and seven-up are also popular The drum
mer who plays for money is usually an
expert at cards, and even if he gets into
losing game he generally knows when to
quit. Therein the drummer Is more level
headed than the average citizen who gam
bles occasionally, and who does not know
when he has had enough"
There are two towns in Georgia which
have become very popular resorts for trav-
cling men who wish to enjoy a seductive
game of draw" on the sly. The two
places have acquired reputation, which is
not confined to this state. violate no con-
fidence in stating that numerous CONNER
cial travellers who visit certain town-not
far from the line of the Central railroad
go there with the expectation of doubling"
their money; and many go to another town
On the line of the Southwestern railroad
in the hope of making fortunate
gains
Poker is, undoubtedly, a Erich mans
game" 1t is very good game for drum
mers 60 let alone. A wholesale merchant re-
marked to me once: "If l had to choose
between salesman who got drunk occa-
sionally and one who gambled, 1 would
take the man who drank, every time"
year or two ago l was in a certain
town in Georgia, and the one hotel in the
place was crowded. The proprietor after
ward told me that he entertained twenty
three drummers in the hotel that night.
There was not bedroom for more than fit
teen, so several of the boys sat up all night
and played poker. There were three
different games going on in the
house, and considerable money was
won and lost. One drummer in particular
lost heavily, and lit was said, after using
up all his own money, fell back on his FIRMS
which he had collected. When daylight
came most of that had gone into the "hole,"
and l shall not forget soon the blood-shot
eyes, flushed face, and down-cast demeanor
of this man next morning. A few weeks
afterward / heard that he had lost his place
and was out Of situation.
4 y
At popular hotel in one of our thr living
inland towns, not long since, party of
commercial tourists were gathered around
the office stove, in which there was hot
he ni0 HsfOY
one. "reminiscences were exchanged freely
and some good stories were told by some of
the drummers present.
Speaking about smart tricks" said a
well-known clothing salesman, lone of the
slickest l ever heard of was played by
young Heckhammer some time ago on Mrs
s., whose husband, you know, keeps the
fearfully dull with H. for several days, and
he was selling little or nothing Expenses
were going on, though, alice samee, and he
was looking every day for let
ter from his house giving him
fits for not sending in any orders. After
being 'skunked' in three towns he reached
-. This was his first trip there, but
some of the boys had posted him, and told
him that Mrs. S. wore the brooches in that
establishment, and he must get on the good
side of the old lady in order to sell Mr.. s. a
bill. However, Heck went round to see
the old man, and wanted to
show his samples, but it was no
go; they had already bought,
very sorry, you know, but maybe some
other time, ETC., etc. Things were getting
serious for Heck, now; so he decided on
new move. He went back to the hotel,
next door-and which, by the by, is kept
by Mrs. Sand moped around for awhile,
looking like he had lost his best friend.
Finally he met Mrs. s., who is a mighty
kind-hearted woman, and with tears in his
eyes and his voice trembling said to her:
Mrs. 8, do not think me impertinent but
have a great favor to ask of YOU Here
he gave kind of sob, and Mrs. s., seeing the
young fellow was in distress, had her SYM
pathies aroused at once. why, certainly,
young man, said she. Let me know what
can do for you %, ma'am,' replied Heck,
you remind me so very, very much of my
poor, dead mother, who died only month
ago. that would take it as the greatest
favor in the world if you would
are so much like my dear mother
The old lady's sympathies were wrought
upon greatly and she allowed young Heck
hammer to kiss her, which he did very re-
specially. Then she made him sit down
and tell her all about his family. From
what he told her it appeared that both his
parents were dead, his mother having only
recently died, and their circumstances be-
ing quite moderate he young Heck
was now the sole support of two
young and lovely sisters, whom he idolized.
Business, however, had been worse lately
than he had ever known it, and he was ex-
pecting every day to get his walking
papers from his house. because he WASN'T
selling any goods Well, the Old lady
couldn't stand that, you know, 80 when the
old man came up to dinner she Just told
him the circumstances, and asked him to
give Heckhammer nice, big order. Old
man S. kicked a little, because they were
already stocked up in H. S line, but Mrs. S.
said he must bug. So Heck went of with
a $500 order ia his inside pocket, and
smiling all over ut his smartness.
A few days after that there came along
another drummer to that town, and just
before dinner he was looking over the reg
lister, when he came across Heckhammer's
name on the book
"Hellol Mrs. S." says he, twas my
brother here last weekw
~ don't know" she replied, "what was
his name"
"Heckhammer," says he
"Oh." says Mrs. S., "why, yes, he was
here, but he didn't say anything about his
having a brother. Too bad about your
losing your poor mother, wasn't it. sir"
81 don't understand you, ma'am," replied
this new drummer. 81 saw my mother only
last week, and she was as well as you arel
Has my brother been up to any new tricks
up herep
al I,oI 1,ar baN II