Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-25

or wherever they roam. But, II there IS
a time when the commercial traveller
feels like enjoying himself and laying
aside all worries and cares Of life, and
to share the happiness he feels in his
heart with his friends and loved ones. it
Is Xmas.
The life of a commercial traveller is
both hard and dangerous. He sells goods
all day and rides all night. An accident
on the road may kill or cripple him Ex-
| posture may develop consumption. or i'll
cooked food may make him a dyspeptic.
He is assailed by temptations which would
be powerless amid the restraints OF home
But WEAKNESS of mind and body, and
the necessity Of being friendly with GUS
TONERS, often tempt him to do that which
degrades his soul and enfeebles his body.
He is TO be congratulated if he goes Off
'the road" as pufe and strong as when
he went on. Some do, and, what Is
more. develop Christian character while
exposed to the vicissitudes and tempta-
tions of the "drummer's" life. our read
ers' sympathies will go out TO this class
as they read this tender sketch published
in the Detroit Free Press:
II have taken my last order. l am
going home" he said, as the clock struck
the midnight hour.
The nurse looked at the doctor with
a significant glance. and whispered:
His mind wanders.'
Presently he lifted his feverish head
from it's pillow. ANY letters from the
house?' he inquired. There ought 10 be
letters here"
Then he slept. and in his sleep he was
q boy again: babbled Of fishing streams.
where the trout played; of school-hours
and romps with his mates. At 2 he sud
denly awakened.
"All right he called in a strong voloe.
I'm ready
He thought the porter had called him
for an early train. The doctor laid a
soothing hand on him, and he slept. In
his sleep he murmured:
SHOW you samples of our goods? I'm
going off the road now. This order closes
me out. The house has called me in. GONG
to have my first vacation, but i shall lose
time-time-timep'
He drowsed off and the doctor ounted
his pulse. Suddenly the sick man started
up.
Give me a letter from home. Ellen
always writes to me here. Dear girl
she never disappointed me yet-and the
children
"They will forget me If my trips are
too long. / have only a few more towns
TO sell. I promised to be home Christ
mas-I promised to be home-promised."
He slept again, and again awakened
with a start.
"NO word from home yet?'
He was going fast now. The doctor bent
over him, and repeated in a comforting
voice the precious words of promise-"In
my Fathers house are many mansions;
if it were not so / would have told you"
yes, yes said the dying traveller,
family, 1T is a clear statement. 1t is a
good house to travel for. 1t deals fair
and square with its men,"
The chill December morning dawned;
the end was very near. The sick man
was approaching the undiscovered land
from whose bourne no traveller returns.
i've changed my route" he murmured
family. THE house is calling me in.
Write 10 Ellen and the children that I'm
on-my-way-home-it's in my sample
case-without money and without price
a good house-flls it's orders as agreed.
"Call me for the first train. / am going
to make the round trip. and get home for
Christmas"
They laid his head back on the pillow
had made the round trip. He had gone
home for Christmas.-Exchange
The following was recently found post
ed up in a small hotel out West:
RULES FOR VISITORS.
Board 30 cents per square foot. Meals
Breakfast at g; dinner at 6; sup
per at Z.
Guests are requested not to speak to
the dumb-waiter.
Guests wishing TO get up without being
can have self-raising -four for
supper.
Not responsible for diamonds, bicycles,
or other valuables kept under the pill
lows; they Should be deposited in the
The hotel is convenient TO all ceme-
teries. Hearses to hire cents a day.