The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-11
A DRUMMER'S STORY.
He Tells Why Ho Gave Up His
Chosen Vocation.

am commercial traveller; that is,
was once. Circumstances over which L
had no control prompted me to seek
another method of livelihood; this,
combined with my wifc's wishes,
which OF course am bound to respect
n cvcry married man ought where it
doesn't conflict too much with his own
natural desires and sentiments.
don't know as can blame her for
thus desiring IL change i'll my then oc-
cupation, rs few women would like to
bc tied for life to Il raving maniac, or
one who possessed physical pcculiar-
ties in the shape of hair which is
bound to stand on end like "quills up
on the frctful POI cupinc." And either
of these results would have been OBJ
tanned, I'm sure, had l ever run the
risk of passing through similar expo
ricncc to the one l am about to relate
twas quite number of years ago that
the incidents | am about to relate hap.
pcncd, yet SO wildly were the facts i'm
pressed upon my mind that it seems
but yesterday.
The firm with whom was employed,
in one of the large eastern cities, de-
sired me to make q change and travel
in western circuit, drumming up
trade rs went along. A wild, lawlcss
element at that time prevailed in the
west, and 1T was almost as much as Il
mans life was worth to go there under
respectable prctcnscs, unless well
equipped with firearms.
My wife tried to prevail upon me not
togo, but that was one of tho instances
where my own natural inclinations led
me to disrcspect her wishes, as she has
often since informed me.
But would not confess to being chick
en-hcarted, SO making careful prep
arations, and kissing my wife fond
good-by, l soon found myself en- route.
The journey was without special in
cident. l enjoyed the trip immensely,
the scenery being entirely strange and
everything aitoget Their novel Stopping
at few min or towns during the latter
part Of my trip, l eventually found my
self in the vicinity of Lcadvillc. Hav-
ing heard SO much about the peculiar
lawlcssncss of this town, determined
to take Il birds eye view of it, even if
did not transact any business.
did not believe the element pre-
dominating there would be especially
interested in eastern dry goods, but
w 40 pOuii'l ~ oCC llC LOWIl III any COSU,
If only TO convince my wife that was
not man easily trifled with, or afraid
of any danger.
To give Il description of the place
and its inhabitants during my brief
ride through it until l reached the ho-
tel WAS destined to stop at would be
impossible; it surpassed my widest cx-
pcctationS.
The driver of my conveyance landed
me ut various hotels, which were too
full for another occupant, until / saw
the hour was drawing near midnight,
and determined to make n halt some
where. At last the driver drew up be-
fore Il dilapdatcd looking tavern
signed the Golden Eagle"
After n brief survey of the exterior
sent the driver in to investigate the in
terror; he soon returned, followed by n
heavy thicllsct man with Il CLEAN of
latent humor in his eye, who said
he was sorry, but the house was full
Noticing my disappointment he finally
asked:
Have you any objections to bed
fellow"
IF there is no help for it suppose /
must" | replied though far from
agreeable" Mentally hcapcd an
athemas on myself for my reckless
venture.
Your bcdfcllow is quiet fellow,
when he is asleep, although must saw
he is rather violent when annoyed. lie
sleeps very soundly, and all you have
to do is TO be careful not to wake him.
Iic has been in bed some time"
Now l might rs we'll make a confess
sion. / am not a brave man, humiliat-
ing as it is to say it. My wife knows
this l have often tried to convince
myself that l am, but truth compcls me
to say | am an awful coward.
The landlords description of my bed
fellow was any thing but assuring, and
l was on the point of declining, when
the landlord, evidently reading what
was transpiring iii my mind, exclaimed:
You are afraid. are you?"
Afraid? / should think not, in
decd" returned, for was too much
of coward to brave being thought
one. II accept your offer of half u bed
Bring me some brandy and water and
cigar"
sat down at one of the little tables
in the barroom and pulled away at nv
cigar. tried to persuade myself that
I was very jolly; it was feeble at
tempt, however.
The landlord finally made his APP
pearance, and with the aid of O tallow
candle escorted me up narrow, rick
/ ETY. old staircase. The room he ushcred
me into was comparatively clean, but
low ceilinged with poor furniture.
lie placed his hand between the
4 candle and the bed as if to shield the