The evening times., 1899-07-20
A DYNAMITE DRUMMER.
His Profession Makes Him an I'm
popular Travelling Companion.
U.vr,trirau

From the Denver Republican,
The little man who scTibbled ilegibly
on the ST. James register bore an lnnocu-
GUS name Ii was Pink Firkin, New York,
that he spelled out somewhat laboriously.
He bore also an innocuous appearance, for
he was not not more than five feet four N
height. with slim frame, narrow shoulders.
ard eyes Of the mildest and most appeal
ing blue His spirit was timid-for, IN
fact when he was addressed he gave q
little start of fright.
Notwithstanding all this. Pink Firkin Is
a dangerous man. This dangerOusness
arises not from the inward man, but from
his occupation When he stepped up TO the
desk to put his name on the register 1t was
with the most painstaEing care that ne
placed upon the marble counter 1ttle
black bag which he carried in his left hand.
1t was a little bag. black rusty, innocuous
| looking, like its owner, bearing the lnl-
tiaIs '.P F., y. " But Pink FiTkin
handled il as II 1t were the most valuable
thing in the world. Carefully. gently ne
placed it by his side, ana between almost
every letter he wrote he looked out OF the
corner of his eye at the little black bag TO
see if 1t were really there. As he wrote
IN Y" he put out his left hand and rested
| it upon the satcbei to make sure that II
| had not been moved.
| 1TaVeilnS d jS"NAil
| pose?" uuestioningly remarked the pro-
! fessional lounger, who had grown curious
| NO. Dynamite answered Mr. Firkin,
with faint smile 1t was the iolterer
turn to start He recovered himself, and
as the rest OF the loungers in the rotunda,
including the clerks, made rapid exits In
both directions, ne put on bold front.
| "Oh, dynamite?" he returned, with
show of unconcern. Only dynamite
Humph!"
| Yes. my firm in New York makes the
best dynamite in the world-goes OF at the
slightest shock-especially in hot weather.
| Great hot weather stuff. Want TO see
some?'' enquired the drummer, his pro-
fessional training getting the upper hand.
| He took the satchel in his hand with some
roughness and the professional lounser set
himself in position for a quick sprint.
Nothing happened, and the lounger hastily
disayowed any interest in dynamite.
"Yes, it is a ticklish profession" smiled
| the travelling gentleman, as he showed the
satchel under the lounge where he had IN
| vited the interrogation to sit and chat with
him. "A little dangerous and inconvenient
l-yes, deuced inconyenient at times We
have to be careful" and his eyes wore
hunted expression.
But we get paid for tive get PAID for
it. You would not believe that l get the
biggest salary of any man on the road
hut do. 1t is a big risk and We have tC
llay I'D something The companies will not
insure u.s.
He grasped a thin knee in both hand:
as he crossed his legs, and continued:
THAT is not the worst of it. Incon,
lvenient Travelling around with this stuff
| exposas US to all sorts of discourtesise:
from hotel managements. Sometimes w
| can't get rooms in town for love o.
money, for people won't have the stuff il
the house and the guests come in bod.
and complain when they find out that on
of us is registered. There are only thre'
in my line, you know. Under those circum
stances as We dare not leave our samples
the police station is the only recourse. In
registered as sleeper in good numne
| of towns in this vicinity.
He paused a minute for this statemen
to take effect Then there are the rail
| roads to buck up against. Some OF then
have rules against carrying explosives oI
the trains. Where they know me l hav
| hard time getting transportation, ant
usually travel because l am on the sof
side of the officials. sometimes l ge
| caught, and then off go at the next sta
ton, or sometimes between stations. ant
have to foot il the rect of the way.
am not particularly fond of railroad trave
at any rate With the cargo l carry
wreck is something to be afraid Of Ever
the jarring of the cars on rough roa'
makes me so uncomfortable that l hav
to take up my satchei and pace the aisl
to reduce the shock.
"The one thing that fear is wreck
If 1 ever get into one it mean7 goodby Il
Pink Firkin. Just imagine that stuff go
+ ing off underneath you.'
Both men on the seat shuddered- tn
prospect disturbed the lounger, who bea
| a hasty retreat.