The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-17
He HAD A CLOSE CALL
How an AmOrOls Drummer Narrowly
Escaped ThFaShiDs.
THE GIRL FAILED TO COME
III This Particular Commercial Tour
ist Has Any Business in Butte
He Had Better DO IL and
Get Out Quick.

BUTTE, Feb. 16.-A commercial traveller
from point in the central portion of the
United States may never realize how near
he came to getting thrashed within an
inch OF his life this afternoon. The
thrashing which he came near getting,
out Just escaped, arose from his attempt,
while in Butte on business, to corrupt
butte's school girls on the side. If he gets
out of town without getting into further
trouble he will do a wise thing by never
returning to this city.
Yesterday afternoon the traveller, who
wears gray coat. with a long cape over
u, brown derby hat, dark pantaloons,
light mustache, and is of dapper appear
ance, picked up 16-year-old school girl
on her way from school with her school
books under her arm. The girl is small
OF her age and for the sake of her reputa-
ttion no further description will be given
OF her. The traveller induced the girl to
go with him to Whatley's restaurant, and
they had little lunch in the private room
between the main restaurant and Sol
Levy's saloon.
Butte business man passing through
the hallway just about the time the couple
had finished their lunch, overheard a con-
versation between the couple and the con-
versation was of such a character that his
attention was attracted and he stopped
and listened. The dapper drummer was
telling about how it was a very common
thing for girls to come up to his room in
the hotel and it could be done with per.
feet secrecy and without any harm. The
girl seemed to be struck on the dapper
young drummer, yet in her conversation
and manner she bore every appearance
OF being perfectly innocent. The drum
lDer assured har hat a
come to her if she would go up to his
room. In fact he pledged his "honor''
mat no one would know anything about
II and that no harm would come to her.
The girl did not like the idea of going
up to his room for a friendly call. She ex-
pressed herself as afraid that she might
be disgraced. The drummer finally said
lie would meet her at $3.50 O'Clock this
afternoon at the entrance to the Owsley
block. he was evidently a stranger, for
he asked her whether the entrance was
on Main street or Park, and she told him
lie said they would walk up to the Butte |
together and she could go up the ladies' |
entrance and up stairs while he would 60 |
In the main entrance, get his key and |
meet her above, and they could visit in |
perfect freedom. The girl did not say for |
certain whether she would meet him at
the appointed time or not.
AS they arose TO separate the drummer |
confided to her: II am very passionate,
want to hug and kiss you right now" 1t
was about o'clock when the pair left the
restaurant and the drummer very kindly
carried the girls school books.
AT O'Clock this afternoon the drummer
was writing letters in the reading room of
the Butte. At 3:10 o'clock he arose and
walked out of the hotel. He had on his
light overcoat, but had left off the cape.
A STANDARD reporter and some of the
girls friends followed the drummer n
short distance behind, and the friends did
not expect to leave much of the drummer
that could be recognized by his acquaint-
ances II he met the girl again.
Meanwhile Mr.. Wilson, proprietor of
Inc Butte, had been put onto the affair
and was naturally very indi ynant at the
purpose Tor which the drummer was seek
ing TO use the hotel. A big porter was
stationed at the door of the drummer's
room with instructions to throw him out
OF the third story window if he showed up
there with n girl.
Meanwhile the drummer walked west
on Broadway from the hotel TO Main, |
down Main to the Owsley block, where
he halted at the entrance. He gazed at |
the advertisements in the entrance, crti-
cally inspected the false teeth in the show |
case OF dentist, then turned his atten-
ton to the display in the windows of |
Courtney, Case d Gravelle. Meanwhile |
he kept one eve open for girls that might
be passing. He waited patiently 10 or Is |
minutes and then walked away slowly.
he girl did not show up. The fact saved
the drummer from a good thrashing. and
perhaps saved his life. If he has any
business in Butte he better transact il !
and get out. Butte has its own peculiar !
way of dealing with drummers who try to
corrupt Butte school girls.
In order that no injustice may be done |
10 any other commercial traveller, il is. | ,
perhaps. proper to state that the man |
who met the Butte school girl yesterday
1nd made the appointment for to-day is
4. ID. Lord of Kansas City. 7