Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-04-12
A DRUMMER's ADVENTURE.

In money, as 1T eventually turned
out, but in personal liberty.
It was my first circuit in the EN-
ployment of Hinde and Cooper
wholesale jewelers. and silversmiths
of Birmingham. My round was al
extensive one-from Stirling, OF
the edge of the Scottish Highlands
to Inverness, in the north. ] made
the round twice a year, in April and
October, travelling with samples and
collecting accounts. My turnout
consisted of horse and trap
machine" they call it in the north
and made the journey in short
stages, and altogether found the
work very pleasant and enjoyable.
| was on my way from Perth to
Edinburgh on my southwark jour-
ney. My calls were over with the
exception of one or two in Stirling
and one in Linlithgow before reach
ing Edinburgh, my headquarters.
Can | see Mr.. Macgregor?" |
asked a shopman, as / drew up at
the door of an obviously Aourishing
establishment in the High Street of
Stirling.
Mr.. Macgregor's not in himself.
Who is it that's asking for him."
Turner, from Hinde and Cooper,
Birmingham"
entered the shop. A man, half
gentleman-farmer, half jockey, was
standing at the counter making
some purchase. An elderly man
came forward to address me.
Whats come of Mr.. Naismith?"
he asked.
Naismith was my predecessor on
the round, but advancing years had
rendered his removal to less la
borious one expedient. explained
as much to my interrogation.
They'll all miss Mr.. Naismith
OH the road" he said. ~ have
known him myself for near
ly thirty years. You've never been
this way before, Think"
mo, this is my first experience
in Scotland, even"
You'll like it, no doubt. Mr..
Naismith was very fond of il"
assented.
Mr.. Macgregor was anxious to
see you, himself, know; but he
has had to 60 to Edinburgh. He
said was to 80 for young Mr.. Mac
gregor if you called before his re-
turn"
"Oh, very wellV
Young Mr.. Macgregor, made
out, was a solicitor, whose Offices
were almost next door. He had, as
is not unusual in Scotland, added to
his legal duties that of bank manag-
er-local manager for one Of the
Edinburgh banks.
On the entry of young Mr.. Mac
gregor, as everyone called him, we
adjourned to a little room behind
the shop, separated from it by u
glass partition, the view through
which was only partially obscured
by a number Of silver and plated
goods arranged on shelves.
Our business was soon transacted.
Mr.. Macgregor handed me roll of
notes of the British Linen Com
pany's Bank, some eight hundred
pounds in all, which | counted and
found correct. The foreman, who
had been attending to the horsey
individual | have already referred to,
handed me fresh order in his
masters handwriting. Twas pleased
to see it was large one, and, high
ly satisfied with the business of the
day, proceeded to my hotel.
1t was the eve Of the Tryst at
Falkirk, not far from Stirling, the
great cattle market Of Scotland, fire.
quented by buyers and sellers from
all parts Of the kingdom. Stirling
was crowded with visitors, as usual
Oh such an occasion; and, so, after
brief rest, and batting my horse,
| determined to drive on as far as
Linlithgow, and pass the night
there.
I had good dinner, and was
comfortably ensconced, the only
guest, in snug corner Of the COM
mercial room, with a night-cap of
Scotch whisky hot standing at my
elbow. ] was just on the point of
retiring to my room when the noise
Of wheels rapidly passing the win