The Forrest City times., 1893-04-28
A DRUMMER'S STORY.
He Tells Why He Gave Up His
 Chosen Vocation.

l am a commercial traveller; that is, l was once. Circumstances over which had no control prompted me to seek another method of livelihood: this, com bined with my wife's wishes, as every married man ought where 1t doesn't conflict too much with his own natural desires and sentiments.
 l don't know as l can blame her for thus desiring change in my then oc- cupation, as few women would like to be tied for life to a raving maniac, or one who possessed physical peculiari- ties in the shape of hair which is bound to stand on end like ''quills up- on the fretful porcupine." And either of these results would have been ob- tained, I'm sure, had ever run the risk of passing through similar expe- rience to the one l am about to relate
 It was quite mum Der of years ago that the incidents I am about to relate hap. pened, yet so vividly were the facts i'm pressed upon my mind that 1t seems but yesterday.
 The firm with whom 1 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 I went along. A wild, lawless element at that time prevailed in the west, and it was almost as much as a mans life was worth to go there under respectab ble pretenses, unless well equipped with firearms.
 My wife tried to prevail upon me not to go, but that was one of the instances where my own natural inclinations led me to disrespect her wishes, as she has often since informed me.
 But I would not confess to being chick en-hcarted, so making careful prep arations, and kissing my wife fond good-by, soon found myself en route.
 The journey was without special in- cident. l enjoyed the trip immensely, the scenery being entirely strange and everything altogether novel. Stopping at fev min or towns during the latter part of my trip, l eventually found my self in the vicinity of Leadville. Hav- ing heard so much about the peculiar lawlessness of this town, l determined to take a birds eye view of it, even if I did not transact any business.
 1 did not believe the element pre- dominating there would be especially interested in eastern dry goods, but was bound to see the town at any cost, if only to convince my wife that was not a man easily tritled with, or afraid of any danger
 To give description of the place and its inhabitants during my brief ride through it until reached the ho- tel was destined to stop at would be impossible; it surpassed my widest ex- pectations.
 The driver of my conveyance landed me at various hotels, which were too full for another occupant, until l saw the hour was drawing near midnight, and determined to make halt some where. At last the driver drew up be- fore a dilapidated looking tavern signed the Golden Eagle"
 After brief survey of the exterior sent the driver in to investigate the in- terior; he soon returned, followed by a heavy thickset man with gleam 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" I replied, though far from agreeable" Mentally I heape6 an athemas on myself for my reckless venture.
 Your bedfellow iS a quiet fellow.