The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-30
a DRUMMER's STORY.
he Tens why He Gavo Up his
Chosen Vocation

yrax once. circumstances over which
had 10 control prompted me 70 seek
another method Of livelihood. this,
I rosnBlneI with my Wife's wishes,
: which of course ! am bound 70 respect.
as every married man ought where i
doesn't conflict too much with his otxn
natural desires and sentiments
don't know as can blame her for
thus desiring change Id my then oc-
eupation, - few women would like 20
lc tied sor life 70 araving maniac, or
one who possessed phys pecniiari-
tbs in the shape II hair which II
hound u staad % end ike qnilis up
oD tic freifal yofcupine And either
* these resglss wttsil have been OBJ
tanned. I'm snre had ever run the
risk IL passing through similar expe-
ri4nee III tbs one / am abosss TO relate.
II was III site i q en. 81 years ago that
The iaeigents ! ana about - relate hap
f,eneti yet - sigi4IF were the facts inn
pressed nga5a ny natnd that il seems
bnt yesterday.
The arm With whom ! was employed.
IA oae ii the large eastern cities, de-
sired ne 70 make achangc and travel
Ia a western circuit, drumming up
trade as | #eat along. A wild. lassiess
element III that. time prevailed In the
tgs,sf. ana it IS as aissost as much as a
rnaa aie Ms worth n 81 there under
respectable rre.enses. unless wefi
eqaippea with firearms
us wife tried To prevail upon me mot
to go. Fgit that WAS one Of the instances
where nIy own natural iucIlnations led
me 10 disrespeet her wishes. as she has
often SINGS laiDrmea me.
Eat sy0ui9 u6t confess 70 being chick
cn-aeatsed, 80 making careful prep
arations, and kissing my wife fond
goosi-by. i soon foana myself en- ronte
The j5arneg was without special In
cident / enjoyed the trip immensely,
tie scenery being entirely strange ard
everything aitogetAsF novel STOPPING
III fe's minor towns during the latter
part ~ thy trip Ieyentualig found my
self ID tho vicinity Of Leaaviile. Hay.
ing heard 50 much about the, peculiar
laysiessncss Of this town, I determined
10 take i bird eye view u 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 To CONVINCE my wife that was
not man easily triAed with. or afraid
Of any danger
To give q description Of the place
and its inhabitants d aring my brief
ride through ii until | reached the ho-
tel was destined 10 stop At would be
impossible. II surpassed my Widest ex
pectations.
The driver Of my conveyance landed
me Ut various hotels, which were too
full for another occupant, until | saw
the hour was drawing near midnight,
and determined to make d halt some
where AT last the driver drew up be-
fore dilapidated looking tavern
signed the Golden Eagle. .
After brlef survey 81 the exterior /
sent the driver in to investigate the in
terror; he soon returned. followed By
hcayy ttiickset man with a CLEAN Of
latent humor Id his eye, who said
he was sorry, hut the house was full.
Noticing my disaPp tInent, he finally
asked,
lave you any objections TO a-bed-
fellow
III there is no help for il Isuppose L
lnnst, / replied. though far from
agreeable Mentally heaped an
rtheuas on myself Tor my reckless,
venture
Your bedfcllow is quiet fellow,
when he Is asleep, although must say
he Is rather violent when annoyed He
sseeps very soardly, and all you have
10 do is TO he careful not 10 wake him.
lie las been in bed some time. "
Naw might as Wen make a confess
sion ] an not a brave man, humiliat-
lag As il II to say III NY wife knows
this haze often tried to convince
rsyseif that am, but truth eonpels me
Y say an an awful coward
The landlords description ~ my bed
FELLOW was any thing but assuring, and
! vas o. the pointof declining, when
tAc landlord, evidently reading what
WIS trAnspiEinl, 10 my mind. exclaimed:
Yon are afraid. are yon2''
Afralds ! should thiak not, in
q deed, returned, for j was too much
Of coward to lrave being thought
one i Accept yoar offer IN hall bed
Brtag me soIae brandy and water ami
cigar.
sat dcNn at one Of the little tables
in the Larroota ana5puffcd away al my
cigas. tried ID persuade myself that
WIS very lpliyi il was feeble at
tempt, however
The landlord finally made his ap-
peaFance, AMI with the all Of a tallow
eandle escorted me up \ narrow, rick