Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-02-03
A DRUMMER'S STORY.
He Tells Why He Gave UP His
Chosen Vocation.

had no control prompted me 10 seek
another method of livelihood; this,
combined with my wifes wishes,
which of course / am bound to respect,
as every married man ought where it
doesn't conflict too much with his own
natural desires and sentiments.
don't know as l can blame her for
thus 'dcsiring 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 pcculiari-
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 n similar expe-
rience to the one am about to relate,
1t was quite n mum Der of years ago that
the incidents l am about to relate hap
pened, yet so wildly were the facts i'm
pressed upon my mind that it seems
but yesterday.
The firm with whom l was employed,
in one of the large eastern cities, de-
sired me to make n change and travel
in n western circuit, drumming up
trade rs l went along. A wild, lawless
element at that time prevailed in the
mans life was worth to go there under
respectable prctenses, 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 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 a few min or towns during the latter
part of my trip, eventually found my
| self in the vicinity of Leadville. lav-
| ing heard so much about the peculiar
| lawlcssness of this town, l determined
to take birds eye view of it, even if
did not transact any business
l 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 I was
not q man easily tri1led with, or afraid
of any danger.
To give description of the place
and its Inhabitants during my brief
ride through it until reached the no.
tel l was destined to stop at would be
impossible; it surpassed my widest cx-
| pectations-
Tho 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 dilapidated looking tavern
signed the Golden Eagle"
| After brief survey of the exterior
sent the driver in to investigate the in
terror; he soon returned, followed by u
heavy thicllset man with CLEAN of
latent huInor in his eye, who said
he was sorry, but the house was full.
Noticing my disappointment, he finally
asked:
"IIavo you any objections to bed
| fcllow?"
IF there is no help for it l suppose
must" | replied, Though far from
agreeable" Mentally l heapcd an.
uthcmas on myself for my reckless
venture.
Your bcdfcllow is quiet fellow,
when he is asleep, although l must say
he is rather violent when annoyed. lie
sleeps very soundly, and all you have
| to do is to be careful not to wake him
lie has been in bed some time"
Now l might as we'll make a comics
sion. | am not u brave man, humiliat
ing rs it is to say it. My wife knows
this. / have often tried to convince
myself that am, lat truth cOmpcls mC
to say | am an awful coward
The landlords description of my bed
fellow was anything but assuring, an,
was ON the point of declining, whcr
the landlord, evidently reading wha
was TRANSPORTING in my mind, exclaimed
"You are afraid, are yuu?"
"Afraid2 l should think not, in
decd" returned, for was too mucl
OF coward to brave being though
one. II accept your offer of half bed
Bring me some brandy and water anC
a cigar"
l sat down at one of the little table
in the barroom and pulled away at IN.
cigar. tried to persuade myself tina
l was very jolly; it was feeble at
tempt however.
l
pearancc, and with the aid of tallov
candle escorted me up narrow, rick
city old staircase. The room he ushcre,
= mo into was comparatively clean, bu
low ceilingcd with poor furniture.
lilo placed his hand between tn
candle and the bed as if to shield tn
occupant from the light; setting
down upon an old stand he said, 0
o whispered:
"Bc sure and don't take the ligh
near him; nothing wakes him soonc
' than that You see don't know ho'
he might like my putting another ma
with him, and he's n very ugly Gus
toner when he is rilcd."
This was very reassuring. II sha
be very careful" replied.
y "All right Good night"
lie had no sooner left the room tina
l cautiously sat down, taking care nc
to make the least noise. l calmly su
veyed my position. According to tn
landlord, my companion was of an.
thing but an amiable disposition. If