Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-05-01
MAX WOULDN'T QUIT.
HE KNEW WHEN HE HAD A GOOD
THING AND HELD 1T.

Even if He Was Not n First Rate
Drummer He Had Plenty of Gall. as
His Employer Soon Learned to His
Sorrow.
In days gone by when the bulk of goods
was sold on the road the real, genuine ar
ticle of drummer was scarce. Men who
controlled a large trade and commanded
large salaries also received large commits
sions in addition. Business men were al
ways on the lookout for good men, and
lots of dead ones were given an opportu-
nifty to show their fitness.
Down in one Of the Third street cloth
ing houses a retired merchant had desk
room just to meet his old friends and as
s~ociates. This gentleman had a nephew
named Max. He was a tall, thin, un-
calmly chap with what the boys term an
ingrowing face.
What Make lacked in looks he made up
in gall. He always was a hit with him
self. His uncle persuaded the clothing
merchant that Make was the real thing,
and as a drummer he was bound to be a
success. So he was engaged for three
months. His sample trunks were packed
and final instructions given. Filled with
hope and business cards Mako sailed
forth.
Days passed and then weeks, but never
a line from Make. The papers were care
fully scrutinized for railroad accidents and
suicides, but no sign of Max. kilograms
were sent to the various points laid out in
his route, but it was all in vain.
II hope he is dead, said the proprietor,
''for then he can t draw on me-"
But Make was a long way from being
dead.
On the twenty fifth day Make blew in,
He didn't have a chance to say q word, as
the old man opened up at once.
"Well, here you are. What excuse have
you for living? How many orders have
you gotp"
"None," replied Max.
"None!" repeated the boss. "Why, l
could have sent a small boy out to pass
circulars. l didn't need you. Don't ex-
plain anything. You are discharged"
"Not much" replied Max. ~ am en-
gagged for three months, and I'll quit II
you pay me off in full"
CAN right, my worthy drummer, I'll
keep you for three months, - said the boss.
ll6pOIU DCIS III Q " ClOCh OSOLy IuCII lIlS
Make came round every morning. He
was ordered to stay in front. If he sat
down, he was ordered to stand, and If he
started to walk he was ordered to stand.
Newspapers were snatched out of his hand.
He was not allowed to smoke. In fact,
everything was tried to make Make quit.
But Make wouldn't quit. He needed tho
money.
One day he was playing with the ele-
vator, 1t was one of the old style, with
an endless wire rope for stopping and
starting. Max was busy starting, and
after the elevator had travelled a few inches
he would stop it. The old man was back
in the office watching Max and said to tho
bookkeeper:
"Dave, l wish that elevator would fall
and break his neck"
The words had just been uttered when
there was a loud slamming, banging noise,
followed by a dull thud. Clouds of dust
filled the front end Of the place.
"Thunderation, " shrieked the old man,
II have got damage suit on hand Max
are you hurt?"
"No," replied Max.
On investigation 1t was found that the
wire check rope had parted and fallen to
the cellar, but Make had lodged in time.
"Step back in the office, Max" said the
old man. "Dave, write out a check for
him. Here's your salary. Get out. You
are the picture Of bad luck, and I don't
know what might happen if you staid
much longer. "-Cincinnati Commercial
Tribune.