Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-10-25
THE DYNAMITE DRUMMER.
a Dangerous Profession That brings
In =, Good salary.

q Dangerous Profession That brings
In Good salary
The little man who scrubbed illegibly
ON the st. James register bore an in
nocuous name. II WAS Pink Firkin,
New York. lie bore also an innocuous
appearance. for he was not more than
five feet four i'm height, with slim
frame. narrow shoulders and eyes OF
the mlldest and most appealing blue.
Notwithstanding all this. Pink Firkin
is dangerous man. This dangerous
ness rises not from the inward man,
but from his occupation. When he
stepped up To the desk to put his name
on the register il was with the most
painStaking care that he placed upon
the marble counter Il little black bag
which he carried in his left hand. Care
fully, gently. he placed il by his side.
aud between almost every letter he
wrote he looked out Of the corner of
his eye at the little black bag To see if
IL were really there.
Travelling for jewelry firm. I sup
pose?" questioningly remarked the
professional lounger, who had grown
curious.
mo. Dynamite" answered Mr.. Fir
kin. with a faint smile. 1t was the
loitcrer's turn to start. He recovered
himself. and rs the rest Of the lOungers
in the rotunda. including the clerks
made rapid exits in both directions
put on bold front.
"Oh. dynamiteT" he returned. with a
show Of unconcern only dynamite
Humph."
YES. my firm in New York makes
the best dynamite in the world-goes
off nj the slightest shock. Great stuff
Want to see Some?" inquired the drum
mer, his professional training getting
the upper hand. He took the Satchel
in his hand with some rOughncSS. and
the professional lounger set himself I'm
position for a quick sprint. Nothing
happened. and the lounger hastily dis
avowcd any interest in dynamite.
Yes IT is a ticklish profession" smn-
cd the travelling gentleman as he shov-
cd the satchel under the lounge where
he had invited the interrogation TO sit
and chat with him. ~ little danger
Gus and inconvenicnt- YES dcuccd in
convenient IT times. We have TO he
careful" and his eyes wore n hunted
look.
But we get paid for tive get paid
for ii. You would not believe that
get the biggest salary Of any man on
the road. but l do. 1t is a big risk.
and we have TO lay up something. The
companies will not insure us
He graspcd a thin knee in both
hands as he crossed his legs and con
tinued:
THAT is not the worst Of it-incon-
venient. Travelling around with this
stuff exposes us TO all sorts OF dis
courtesies from hotel Arrangements.
Sometimes we can't get rooms in n
town for love or money. for people
won't have the stuff in the house. and
the guests come in n body and com
plain when they find out that one OF us
IS registered There are only three in
my line. YOU know. Under those cir
cumstanccS. as we dare not leave our
samples the police station is the only
recourse. I'm registered rs q sleeper
in n good number Of towns in this vi
cinity."
He paused a minute for this state
mcnt TO take effect. Then there are
the railroads TO buck up against. Some
of them have rules against carrying cx-
plosives. Sometimes l get caught. and
then off I 20 ut the next station or
foot il the rest OF the way. l am not
particularly fond Of railroad travel at
any rate. With the cargo | carry a
wreck is something To be afraid Of
Even the Earring Of the cars on n rough
road makes me SO uncomfortable that
l have TO take up my satchcl and pace
the aisle to reduce the shock.
THE one thing that ! fear Is n wreck.
II l ever get into one. il means goodby
TO Pink Firkin. Just imagine that
stuff going off underneath your'-Den-
yer Republican.