The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-29
: NTHE WORLDS -
az 4 az STORY DEPARTMENT. *
INN M flN W NFNI 83 w Fl0
A DRUMMER's STORY.
He Tells why He Gave Up his
Chosen Vocation.


another method Of livelihood; this.
ronbined with my wife's wishes,
which Of course am bound 70 respect.
IS every married man ought where Il
doesn't conflict too much with his own
natural desires and sentiments
/ don't know as can blame her for
thus .aesiring a change in my then oc-
cupation, as few women would like TO
Be tied for life 70 q raving maniac. or
one who possessed physical peculiari-
tics 10 the shape 81 hair which -
bound 10 stand on end like saquiiis mp
81 the fretfri porcupine And either
of these results would have been OBJ
tanned. I'm sure, had ever rum the
4 risk of passing through q similar expe-
rience 70 the one 1 am about . relate.
twas quite number q years ago that
the incidents am about 10 relate hap.
pened, yet 50 wildly were the facts im-
pressed upon my mind that il seems
bat yesterday.
The firm with whom was employed,
in one Of the large eastern cities, de-
sired me 10 make change and travel
Ia a western circuit, drumming up
trade as went along. a Mild, lawlcss
element at that time prevailed In the
west. and 1t was almost as much as a
mans life was worth to 60 there under
respectable pFetenses, unless well
equipped with firearms
Ny wife tried q prevail upon me not
TO 70, but that was one 81 the instances
where my own natural inclinations led
me to disrcspect her wishes, as she has
often since informed me.
Bat would not confess 70 being chick
en-hearted. SO making careful prep
arations, and kissing my wife d fond
good-by, soon found myself en- route
The Journey was without special in
cident enjoyed the trip immensely,
the scenery being entirely strange and
everything altogether novel Stopping
at q few min or towns during the latter
part Of my trip, eventually found my-
self in the vicinity Of Leadyiile. fiav-
Ing heard so much about the peculiar
lawlessness 81 this town, Idetermined
to take . birds eye view Of il, even II
did not transact any business
/ 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,
II only 70 convince my wife that i was
not man easily trified with. or afraid
81 any danger.
To give a description Of the place
and its inhabitants during my brief
ride through it until i reached the ho-
tel was dcstkncd " stop al would bc
impossible; it surpassed my widest cx-
pectations
The driver Of my convey vance landed
me at various hotels, which were too
full for another occupant, until saw
the hour was drawing near midnight,
and determined to mako halt some
WHARF,. 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 70 investigate the in
terror; he soon returned, followed by a
heavy thicksct man with CLEAN of
latent hnmor IN his eye, who said
he was sorry. but the house was full
Noticing my disappointment, he finally
asked:
Have you any objections 70 bed
fellow2''
If there is no help for it Isuppose
must, ~ replied, though far from
agreeable Mentally | heaped an
athemas on myself for my reckless
venture
Your bedfellow is q quiet fellow,
when he is asleep. although must say
he IS rather violent when annoyed He
sleeps very soundly,7an all you have
to do is TO be careful not to wake him.
He has been in bel some time"
Now I might as well make comics.
sion, am not q brave man, hnmiliat-
ing as it is to say II. My wife knows
this ! have often tried to convince
myself that ! am, but truth compels me
z 70 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 transporting in my mind, exclaimed:
You are afraid, are you?a
Afraid? ! should think not, in
deed, | returned, for was too much
Of a coward to brave being thought
one. II accept your offer Of half a bed.
Bring me some brandy and water and
a cigar"
sat down at one Of the little tables
in the barroom and pulled away at my
cigar tried 70 persuade myself that
! was very jolly; It was feeble at.
tempt, however,
The landlord finally made his ap.
pearance, and with the aid of a tallow
candle escorted me up a narrow, rick.
ETY. old staircase The room he ushered
me into wis, eosap atiyeIy clean, btrs
low ceilinged with poor furniture.
He placed his hand between the
candle and the bed as If to shield the
occupant from the light; setting i,
down upon a old stand he said, Of
whispered. s
BE sure and don't take the light
near hini nothing wakes him sooner
than that You see don't know how
he might like my putting another man
with him, and he'sS a very uQlv Gus.
toner when he is riled. 4
This was very reassuring III shall
be very careful, replied
All right Good night
He had no sooner left the room than
] cautiously sat down, taking care no,
70 make the least noise. calmly sur.
veyed my position According 10 the
landlord, my companion was Of any
thing but an amiable disposition. If
should chance To awaken hin knew
not what might occur. He might 81.
sault me dangerously before coull
explains Il half resolved Ia mass tht