The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-16
THE Mantle DRUMNER.


From II, Denr,r Republican.
The little man who scrubbed illegibly on the
ST. james register bore an innocuous name.
1t was Pink lIrkin. New York. that he SPELLED
out somewhat laboriously. lie bore also an
inpocuous arpcarance, for he was not more
than five feet four In height. with slim frame.
narrow shoulders and eyes OF the midest and
most appealing blue. His spirit was timd-
for in fact when hs was addressed he gave
little start Of fright
Notwithstanding all this, Pink Iirkin is q
dangerous man. This dangcrousn"Ss rises
not from tho inward man. hut from his occu-
patton. When no stepped up to tn" d"SG to
put his name on the register 1t was with the
most paiustaking care that he placed upon
the marble coulter little black bag which he
carried In his left hand. 1t was little bag.
black, rusty. innocuous-looHing,l like its owner.
bearing the initials y. f.. " \. But Pink Firkin
handled it rs il IT were the most valuable thing
in the world. Carefully. gently. he placed it by
his side and between almost every letter hc
w:ot" he looked ont OF the corner Of his eye at
IN" little black lag T. see i II were tenIy ih"rrii
and rested it upon the saIchol to make sure
that it had not been moved i'll, ,,int
smiG yn"nMSS firm SO in New YIN maEts the lest
dynamite in the w9rld-goes on at the slEhtr'l
sh9ck-sspesay in hot wsa tn: %, H is@ n"%
the drummer, his profess Jnol ira ming getting
the upper hand. He took the satG he in his
siOnal lOunger set himself in position Tor
quick sprint Nothing happened aud the lonn-
ger hastily disayOwcd anyilt"Trsti II dynamite.
Il" Yes. 1t is u tichllsh profession, smiled me
travelling gentleman, as he showed me 5ht1nri
under tho lounge Wher" he ma invited
the interrogation to sit and chat with him.
little dangerous ANA incQnvrnient- deHceh
incon HSnleHt at times. No haze 10 be CAREFUL
and his eyes wore a hunted look.
But W. got paid for tive get paid for II,
You would not believe that get the biggest
salary Of any man on the road but do. Il Lsa
| big risk, and We have to iay mp something.
| Tho companies Will not insure us.
lie grasped n thin knee in both hands as no
crossed his legs. ami continued: r,,.r,.,,,,.,,.
" That is not the worst OF II. lhcpnF"hlent.
| Travelling around with this stun EXPOSES Ms TO
! all sorts ~ dIIrourtcsi"S from hotel manage
! mcntS. Sometimes We can't get rooms IN
J tie stun IN the house. and the guests come ~
| n body and complain when they ma out mat
| one OF us is reg stored. There ara only three
! in my line. you know. Under those circum-
| stances as rdare not lcnYo our samples. l,e
! police station is The Only recourse; In! regis
| In this vicinity"
He paused a minute for this statement to
take effect. "Then there are the railroads TO
| buck up against some OF them have rules
against carrying explosives SOMETIMES SEL
| sometimes between stations. and have 10
foot il the rest Of tho way. am not pariiru-
| larly fond Of railroad travel nj any rate, WIN
| tho cargo ! carry wreck Is Something o. lac
| afraid 81. Even the Earring Of the cars on =
| rough road makes mo so unconiortah'" thnt !
! have "a take M my satcheI and pace the ans "
The on" thnG that fear il wreck. II |
| ever get into On- II means good-hS To RINK
tlIkin Just imagine that stun going OIL un-
Both men on the seat shuddered; The pros
| pect disturbed the lounGSr. who beat hasty
| retreat