Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-12-09
WHY HE IS NERVOUS.
Mr. F1rkin Travels for a Dynamite
Factory and Carries Samples
with Him.

The little man who scrubbed. illegibly
on the St. James register bore an in
nocuuEs name. 1t was Pink Eirlin,
New York, that lie spelled out some
what laboriously. He bore also an In
nocuous appearance, for he was not
more than i've feet four in height, with
slim frame, narrow shoulders, and eyes
Of The mildest and most appealing blue.
Ills spirit was timid-for in fact, when
lie was addressed he gave IL little start
OF fright.
Notwithstanding all this, Pink Fir
Kin is IL dangerous man. This danger
BUSINESS rises not from the inward man,
but FROM his occupation. When he
stepped up to the desk to register it was
with the most painstaking care TINT lie
placed upon the marble counter IL little
black bag which he carried In his left
hand. 1t was Il little bag, black, rusty,
innocuous looking, like its owner, bear
ing the initials, T.. T., \, y. But Pink
Firkin handled it as if it were the most
valuabl thing in the world. Carefully,
gently, he placed it by his side, and
between almost every letter he wrote he
d
little black bag to see if it were really
there. AS he wrote ~. " he put out
his left hand and rested it upon the
satchel to make sure that it had not
been moved
Dynamite" said Mr.. Firl1in, with
faint smile. MY firm in New York
makes the best dynamite in the world
goes off at the slightest .hocll-especial-
y in hot weather. Great hot-weather
stuff. Want 10 see somc?" inquired the
drummer, his professional training
getting the upper hand. He took the
satchel in his hand with some rough
ness, and the professional loungcr set
himself in position for quick sprint.
Nothing happened. and the lounger
hastily disavowcd any interest in dyna-
mite.
Yes. it is a ticlslish profession.'
smiled The travelling gentleman as he
showed the satchcl under the lounge
where he had invited the interrogator
70 ST: aut! chat With him. "a little dan
gcrous and inconvcnien1 at times. We
Lave to be careful" and his ere wore a
hunted look.
bur we get paid for tive get paid
for it. You would not believe that get
tn" biggest salary Of any man on the
read, but do. 1t is big risk, and we
havc to lay up something. The com
!.anics VIII not insure US"
He graspcd a thin knee in both hands
as he crossed his legs, and continues:
THAT is not the worst Of It. Incon-
vcnient. Travelling around with this
stuff exposes us 10 all sorts of discour-
tcSes from hotel arrangements. Some
times we can't get rooms in q town for
love or money, for people won't have the
stuff IN tho house. and the guests come
III body to complain when they find
out that one Of US is registered. There
are only three in my line, you know.
tndcr those circumstances, as we dare
not leave our samples, the police sta
ton is the only recourse. I'm regis
tered as a sleeper in good number OF
towns in this vicinity"
I[craused Il minute for this statement
to take effect. Then there are rail
roads 70 buck up against. Some OF them
have rules against carrying explosives.
Sometimes get caught, and then off I
80 At the next station. or sometimes be-
tween stations, and I have to foot it the
rest Of the way. am not particularly
fond Of railroad travel at any rate
With the cargo carry wreck is
something to be afraid Of. Even the
Jarring of the cars on u rough road
makes ME SO uncomfortable that have
to take up my satchel and pace the
aisle to reduce the shock
The one thing that fear is a wreck.
If ever get into one it means good-by
to Pink Firlin. Just imagine that stuff
going off underneath you
Both men on the seat shuddered
The prospect disturbed the lounger,
who beat a hasty retreat-Denver Re-
publican.