The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-08
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Ul(lli a:l9le
A DRUMMER'S STORY.
Es Tells Why He Gave Up His
Chosen Vocation.

n
was once Circumstances over which
had no control prompted ne 70 seek
another method Of livelihood; this,
combined with my wife's wishes,
which of course l am bound 10 respect.
Rs every married man ought where It
aoesn't conflict too much with his own
patural desires and sentiments
don't know rs l can blame her for
thus 'desiring a change in my then oc-
eupation. as few women would like to
be tied for life 20 a raving maniac, or
pne who possessed physical peculiari-
ties IN the shape Of hair which is
bound to stand on end like ''qUills up
on the fretfui porcuPine." And either
uf these results would have been OBJ
tanned. I'm sure, had ever run the
risk of passing through = similar expe-
rie1ee to the one l am about to relate
II was quite NUN Der Of years ago that
The incidents I am about 10 relate hap
pened. yet SO wildly were the facts i'm
pressed upon MY mind that it seems
but yesterday.
TIE firm with whom ! was employed,
In one of the large eastern cities. de-
sired me TO make a change and travel
IN a western circuit, drumming up
trade as ! went along. A wild, lawless
element at that time prevailed II the
west and IL was almost as much as
mans life was worth 20 60 there under
respectable pretenses, unless vel
equipped with firearms.
by wife tried to prevail upon me not
20 60, but that was one Of the instances
where nv own natGral inc.inatIons led
De 30 disrespect her wishes, as she has
sften since informed ne
But would not confess 20 being chick
en-hc2rted, SO making careful prep
Rrations, aud kissing my wife fo1d
eood-by, soon found myself en- route
The journey was without special 10
ciGent / enjoyed the tip immensely,
the scenery being entirely strange and
everything altogether novel Stopping
st few min or towns during the latter
part of my trip, / eventually found nay
self in the vicinity of Leadvllie. Hav-
Ing heard so much about the peculiar
iawIessness Of this town, I determined
TO take birds eye view Of it, even II
I did not transact any business
I did not believe the element pre-
dominating there would be especially
Interested IN eastern dry goods, but
was bound to see the town a. any cost,
Il only to convince ny wife that / was
not q man easily triHed with, or afraid
Of any danger.
To give description Of the place
- 4 I---s-
hide through it until l reached the 10
tel was destined 10 stop al would be
imposSi be; it surpassed my widest cx-
pectations
The driver of my conveyance landed
me at various hotels, which were too
full for another occupant, until 1 saw
the hour was drawing near midnight,
ana determined TO make & halt some
where. At last the driver drew up be-
fore 2 6Lapidated looking tavern
signed the Golden Eagle"
After a brief survey Of the exterior
sent the driver IN TO Investigate the IN
terlor; be soon returned followed By a
heavy thickset man with 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 a bed
EelIow2"
II there is no help for It Isuppose I
must" I replied. though far from
agreeable" Mentally I hcaped an
nthenss on myself <or ny reckless
venture
Your bedtellov IS a quiet fellow.
when he IS asleep, although I must say
he is rather violent when annoyed. He
sleeps very soupdIv, and all you have
70 do IS 70 be careful not 10 wake him
lie has been in bed some time
Now I might as well make q confess
sion an not a brave man, hunilIat-
ing as il Is TO say il Ny wife knows
this / have often tried 70 convince
myself that l an, but Truth conQels me
20 say am an awful coward
The landlords description Of my bed
fellow was anything but assuring. and
! was on the point OF declining, when
the landlord, evidently reading what
was trsnspiring IN NY mind, exclaimed:
You are afraid, are you?'
Afraid? I should think not, in
deed returned, for was too much
OF 3 coward 10 brave being thought
one Il accept your offer Of half bed
Bring ne some brandy and water and
q cigar"
I sat down atone OF the little tables F.
IN the barroou and pulled away at nv
cigar. tried to persuade myself that /.
! was very Jolly; It was . feeble al .
tempt, however.
The landlord finally made his a9-
pea-a1ce, and with the aid Of q tallow
candle escorted me dp a narrow, rick (
ETY. ca staircase The room he ushered /
me into was comparatively clean, but .
.o.v oeilinged with poor furniture.
lie placed his hand between the T.
candle and the bed as if TO shield the .
occupant from the light; setting 1t .
down upoa an old stand he said, or 4
whispered:
BE sure and don't take the light .
near him; nothing wakes him sooner /
than that You see I don't know how
he might Ike ny putting another man (
with him, and he's a very ugly Gus
toner when be is riIed-"
This was very reassuring. u shall
be very careful, I replied
AL right Good night"
he had no sooner left the room than
! cautiously sat down. taking care not
70 make the least noise. calmly sur
veveo my position According - the
landlord, nv companion was OF any
thing bat an auiaoIe disposition If .
should chance 70 avaSen him ! knew
not what might occur. lie might as
u-r,l. ma 6anCa-Ouslv haf0-a I r-r-1l I.