The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-18
BUTrERICK PATTERNS ARE THE BEST
A Dynamite Drummer Unpopular.
6IO KANSAS AVE.

IFrom the Denver Republican,
The little man who scrubbed lleglDIy
on the St. James's register bore an IN
nocuOus name. It was Pink Flrkln, New
York that he spelled out somewhat Ia
bOriOusly. He bore also an 1nnOcuouS
appearance for he was not more than
i've feet four in height, with slim frame
narrow shoulders, and eyes of the mild
est and most appealing blue. HIS spirit
was tinlid-for in fact when he was ad-
dressed he gave a little start OF fright.
Notwithstanding all this, Pink F'irl1in
Is dangerous man. This dangerous
ness arises not from the inward man,
but from his occupation. When he step
ped up to the desk to put his name on
the register it was with the most pains
taking care that he placed upon the
marble counter a little black bag which
he carried in his left hand 1t was a
aittle bag, black, rusty, innocuOus look
ing, like its owner, bearing the initials
+'P. F. n. Y" But Pink Firkin handled
Il as If it were the most valuable thing
IN the world. Carefully, gently, he
placed it by his side and between almost
every letter he wrote he looked out of
the corner of his eye at the little black
bag to see if it were really there. As
he wrote IN. Y" he put out his left
hand and rested it upon the satchel to
make sure that it had not. been moved.
Travelling for a jeWelry firm, sup
poser" QueStiOnably remarked the pro-
fessiOnal lOunger, who had grown cur
tous.
No Dynamite" answered Mr.. Firl1in
with a faint smile 1t was the 1oiterer's
turn to start He recovered himself.
and as the rest of the Ioungers in the
rOtunda. including the clerks made rapid
exits in both directions, he put on a bold
front.
"Oh, dynamite?" he returned with a
show Of unconcern- Only dynamite.
Humph.''
Yes. Ny firm in New York makes
the best dynamite in the wOrld-goes
off at the slightest shOck-especially in
hot weather Great hOt-weather stuff.
Want to see sOne? p" inquired the drum
mer, his professional training getting
his hand with some rOughness and the
professional lounger set himself in posi-
tion for a quick sprint. Nothing hap
pened and the lOunger hastily disavOWed
any interest in dynamite.
Yes, it is a ticklish profession" smil-
ed the travelling gentleman. as he show
ed the satchel under the lounge where
he had invited the interrogation to sit
and chat with him. "a little dangerous
and incOnvenient-yes deuced incOnven-
dent at times We have to be careful -
and his eyes wore a hunted look
But we get paid for tive get paid
for X. You would not believe that
get the biggest salary of any man on the
TOad-but 1 do. 1t is a big risk and
we have to lay up something. The COM
panies will not insure US"
He grasped a thin knee in both hands
as he crossed his legs, and continued:
THAT is not the worst of it. IncOn-
venient. Travelling around with this
stuff exposes US to all sorts of diScour-
fesies from hotel homogeneous. Some
times we can't get rooms in a, town for
Hove or money, for people won't have
the stuff in the house, and the guests
come in body and complain when they
ind out that one Of US is registered
There are only three in my line, you
know. Under those circumstances, as
we dare not leave our samples, the pO-
Ace station is the only recourse. I'm
registered as a sleeper in a good num-
Der of towns in this vicinity
He paused a, minute for this statement
TO take effect. Then there are the rail-
roads to buck up against. Some of them
nave rules against carrying explosives
en- the trains Where they know me I
have hard time getting transportation
and usually travel because I am on the
safe side of the officials. Sometimes 1
get caught, and then off go at the next
station. or sometimes between stations.
and have to foot 1t the rest of the way
] am not particularly fond of railroad
travel at any rate. With the cargo 1
carry a wreck is sometimes to be afraid
of. Even the Earring of the cars on q
rough road makes me so uncomfortable
that have to take up my satchel and
pace the aisle to reduce the shock
THE only thing that I fear is a wreck
If / ever get into one it means gOOdby
to Pink Firkin. Just imagine that stuff
going off underneath your
Both men on the seat shuddered The
prospect disturbed the Iounger who beat
a hasty retreat.