Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-03-02
A DRUMMER'S STORY.
He Tells Why Ho Gave Up His
Chosen Vocation.

am a commercial traveller; that is, I
was once. Circumstances over which
had no control prompted me to seek
another method of livelihood; this,
combined with my wife's wishes
which Of course am bound 10 respect,
as every married man ought where 1t
doesn't Conflict too much with his own
natural desires and sentiments
don't know as can b,ame her for
thus lesiring u change in my then Oc-
cupatiOn, as few women would like to
be tied for life to raving maniac, or
one who possessed ply 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 OBJ
tanned, I'm sure, had ever run the
risk Of passing through similar expe-
rience to the one / am about to relate.
1t was quite IA mum Der Of years ago that
the incidents am about TO relate bap.
pened. yet so wildly were the facts i'm
pressed upon my mind that II seems
but yesterday.
The firm with whom was employed,
in one of the large eastern cities, de-
sired me to make n change and travel
, in western circuit, drumming up
trade as went along. A wild, lawless
element at that time prevailed in the
west, and 1t was almost us much as a
mans life was worth to 60 there under
respectable 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 would not confess to being chick
en-hcarted, SO making careful prep
arations, and kissing my wife u fond
good-by, soon found myself en- route
The journey was without special in
cidcnt | enjoyed the trip immensely,
the scenery being entirely strange aud
everything altogot thor novel. Stopping
ut lew min or towns during the latter
part Of my trip, eventually found my
self in the vicinity of Leadville. Hav-
ing heard SO much about the peculiar
lawlessness OF this town, determined
| to take birds eye view of 1t, even il
l did not transact any business
did not beiev, the element pre-
dominating there would be especially
interested in eastern dry goods, but l
was bound to see the town ut any cost,
II only to convince my vile that was
not u man easily triled 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 10 stop ut would be
impossible; it surpassed my widest cx-
pcctationa
The driver of thy conveyance landed
me ut various hotels, which were too
full for another occupant, until / saw
the hour was drawing near midnight,
and determined TO IN Ike halt some
where. At last the driver drew up be-
fore diiaridatcd looking tavern
signed the "Gold Ea.lc."
After brief survey Of the exterior
sent the driver in to investi rate the in
terror; he soon returned, followed by u
heavy thiclset man with II CLEAN OF
latent humor in his eye, who said
he was sorry, but tho house was full.
Noticing my disappointment, he finally
asked:
"llave you any objections to bed
fellow2"
"If there is no help for it suppose
must" | replied, though far from
agreeable" Mentally l hcaped an
athemas on myself Tor my reckless
venture.
"Your bedfellow is quiet fellow,
when he is asleep, although must say
he is rather violent when annoyed. lie
sleeps very soundly, ana all you have
to do is to lie careful not to wake him
lie has been in bel some time"
Now might as well make confes
sion. am not brave man, humiliat
ing as it is to say it. My wife knows
this have often tried to convince
myself that am, but truth compels mt
to say am au awful coward
The landlords description of my bed
fellow was anything but assuring, an'
was on the point of declining, whei
the landlord, evidently reading wha
was TRANSPORTING in my mind, exclaimed
/ you are afraid, are your
Afraid should think not, In
Decd" returned. for was too mucl
of a coward to brave being though
one. II accept your offer Of half bed
} Bring me some brandy and water an
{, u cigar"
8 sat down ut one of the little table
4 in the barroom and pulled away at m
+, cigar. l tried to persuade myself tina
u l was very jolly; it was feeble a
I tempt, however.
D The landlord finally made his az
pearance, and with the aid of a talloN
: candle escorted me up narrow, ricl
ETY. old staircase. The room he ushere
me into was comparatively clean, br
low ceilinged with poor furniture.
lie placed his hand between tn
candle and the bed rs If to shield til
occupant from the light; setting
down upon an old stand he sad, {
whispered:
"Be sure and don't take the ligl
near him; nothing wakes him soon'
than that You see don't know no
he might like my putting another ma
with him, and he's very ugly Gu
toner when he is riled."
This was very reassuring II sha
be very careful" l replied.
"All right Good night"
lie had no sooner left the room this
/ cautiously sat down, taking care n
to make the least noise. calmly su
veyed my position, According to Il
landlord, my complnion was of an
thine lint aT, outiuh a disDOsitlon If