The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-29
MAX WOULDN'T QUIT.
HE KNEW WHEN HE HAD A GOOD
THING AND HELD IT.

Even IL He Was Not q First Rate
Drummer He HAD Plenty Of gall, ~
His EmDIOysE sOOn Learned to HIS
SORROW.
In days gone by when the bulk of goods
was sold on the road the real, genuine ar
tiele of drummer was scarce. Men who
controlled large trade and commanded
large salaries also received large commits
siOns in addition. Business men were al
ways on the lookout for good men, and
lots Of dead ones were given an opportu-
nifty to chow their fitness.
Down in one of the Third street cloth
ing houses q retired merchant had desk
room Just to meet his old friends and as
sociates. This gentleman had a nephew
named Max He was a tall, thin, I'M
calmly chap with what the boys term an
ingrowing face
What Make lacked in looks he made up
in gall He always was a hit with him
self His uncle persuaded the clothing
merchant that Make was the real thing,
and as a drummer he was bound to be a
SUCCESS. So he was engaged for three
months. His sample trunks were packed
and final instructions given Filled with
hope and business cards Make sailed
forth.
Days passed and then weeks, but never
line from Make. The papers were care
fully sorutinized for railroad accidents and
suicides, but no sign of Max. kilograms
we're sent to the various points laid out in
his route, but it was all in vain.
Il hope he is dead, " said the proprietor,
'for then he can't draw on me-"
But Make was a long way from being
dead
On the tventy-ffth day Make blew in
He didn It have a chance to say q word, as
the old man opened up at once.
oil her hat naV
you for HvinRs How many orders have
you gotq"
"None." replied Max.
"Noner' repeated the boss. ''Why, I
could have sent a small boy out to pass.
circulars. didn't need you. Don't ex-
plain anything. You are discharged"
Not much, replied Max. - am en-
gagged for three months, and I'll quit If
you pay me off in full. -
All right, my worthy drummer, I'll
keep you for three months, :" said the boss.
'Report here at o clock every morning"
Make came round every morning. He
was ordered to stay in front. If he sat
down, he was ordered to stand, and If he
started to walk be was ordered to stand.
Newspapers were snatohed out of his hand
He was not allowed to smoke. In fact,
everything was tried to make Make quit.
But Make wouldn't quit. He needed the
money.
One day he was playing with the ele-
vator. It was one of the old style, with
an endless wire rope for stopping and
starting. Max was busy starting, and
after the elevator had travelled few inches
he would stop it. The old man was back
In the Office Watching Max and said to the
bookkeeper;
Dave, I wish that elevator would fall
and break his neck.
The words had just been uttered when
there was a loud slamming, banging noise,
followed by a dull thud. Clouds Of dust
filed the front end Of the place.
"Thunderation, - shrieked the old man,
at have got a damage suit on handl Max,
are you hurt2"
mo, - replied Max.
On investigation It was found that the
wire check rope had parted and fallen to
the cellar, but Make had lodged in time.
''Step back in the office, Max, " said the
old man. ''Dave write out a check for
him. Here's your salary. Get out. You
are the picture Of bad luck, and don't
know what might happen If you staid
much longer "-Cincinnat Commercial
Tribune.