San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-10-24
a GREEN DRUMMER.
What Happened on His First Trip
A Sad Though EdiryinG
Tale of Woe

The writer had an experience on his
first trip as travelling salesman, which
he will remember for years to come. and
always thank the generosity OF hotel
clerk for eXtricating him from predica-
n ent that might have proven very Sc
riOuS matter,
1t was during a race meeting in one of
the northeastern cities. when the leading
hosiery OF the place was filled TO over
flowing with travelling men, sports and
people OF a class who generally followed
race meetings.
The writer being unable to obtain suit
able accommodations to his taste, con-
cluded, that rather than sleep on a cot, he
preferred sitting around the hotel office.
About the hour of 3 o'clock in the morn
ing was the occasion of the guests of the
hote! being wrapped In the arms of Nor
pheuS. when Mr.. Fresh" the night
clerk being overly anxious for the rest
that was necessary to his health and gen
eral hustling reQuiremeDtS) struck up a
friendly acquaintance with the clerk, and
upon being Invited back of the Office, pre-
ceeded 10 investigate the trappingS nee
eSSary to the proper conducting of well
ordered hotel His eyes suddenly were
attracted to a bright knob at the bottom
of a peculiar instrument, the invention Of
which the visitor could not understand,
and as the clerk had stepped out OF the
office for a few moments, the hero con-
cluded to turn the knob and see the re-
suit. What happened? Immediately all
the bells In the building began to ring
vigorously and continually, aud the toll
ing of the city fire gongs could he plainly
heard from all portions of the great
city: this was followed by the en-
tire number Of guests, unrobed and
unclad, rushing pei nell. down the large
stair cases, some with their clothes in
their hand while others froze tight to
their grips or anything that could be
carried in hand, to be saved from what
they considered, dangerous cOntlaga-
ton. The unfortunate inexperienced
salesman, at once realized his position
and Immediately took flight out of the
most convenient office window, just in
time TO see the fire engines from all
directions coming at rapid gaitS down the
different avenues to eXtinguiSh the sup
posed disastrous flames of the hotel.
The patrol wagons were there, the fire
chiefs and policemen were at hand and
IN very short while the building was
surrounded by force of officers, fremen,
citizens and guests, large enough to have
eXtinguiShed the flames of the entire city,
had fire of this nature been occaSioned.
The house was examined and after the
discovery of false alarm, the guests re-
paired TO their respective apartments,
Out not De1Cfe ABUSING the marauder,
using the most effective adjectives in the
way of 'cuSS' words AT this stage in
the game, naturally, the hotel proprietor
set on foot an investigation to learn the
cause of this alarm, which so terribly dis
cOmoded the entire city, and from the
faithful night clerk, his hghneSS could
receive no information, whatever, he
being absent from the office at the time
of the turning of the knob.
1t is useless TO state that the intruder
was making himself very scarce while
this was all going on, and after the great
excitement had died away, he returned to
the scene of supposed disaster, like dog,
without friend in the world, and was
Immediately met by the clerk. who was
smiling face and who uttered
the assuring Words ''be easy. my boy.
will protect you, but in the future don't
monkey with the animals
After mutual explanations, Mr.. Fresh
felt that his friends fidelity called for
some reward, and over bottle of
Mumm's they bound themselves to etern-
al friendship and the young mans en-
perience as new drummer is herc told
for the edifcation of those of that class,
who have the false knowledge that they
know it ALL"