Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-08-25
The DYNAMITE DRUMMER.
A Dangerous Profession That Brinsa
In a Good salary.

Tie little man who scrubbed illegioly
ou The ST James register bore al IN
uocuous name. Ii was Pink FiFkin'
New York. He bore also an innocuOus
aupearance. for he was Lot more than
five feet four Ia height, with slim
frame. narrow shoulders and eyes VI
the mildest and most appealing blue.
Notwithstanding all this. Pink Firklh
Is "A dangerous man. This dangerous
hess rises not from the Inward man.
but from his occupation. When he
stepped mp 10 the desk 10 put Ills name
Oh the register il was with the most
palnstaking care that he placed upon
the marble counter Al little black bag
which he carried In his left hand. Care
fully. gently. he placed 1t 10y his side
and between almost every letter lie
wrote he looked out Of the corner OF
his eye ut the little black bag To See II
IL were really there.
Travelling for jewelry firm. sup
posc:" questloningly remarked tue
professional loungcr, who had grown
curious.
"No. Dynamite" answered Mr.. FIT
kin, with n faint smile. 1t was the
loiterers turn to start He recovered
himself. and as the rest of the lounEers
in the rotunda, including the clerks
made rapid exits in both directions,
put on bold front.
"Oh. dynamite" he returned. with
/ show of unconcern. only dynamite
/ Hulnph."
Yes, my firm In New York makes
the best dynamite In the world-goes
off at the slightest shock. Great stun.
Want 10 see Somc%" inquired the drum
mer, his professional trimming getting
the upper hand. He took the satchel
In his hand with some rOughness. ana
the professional lounger set himself In
position for Il quick sprint Nothing
happened, and the lounger hastily dis
avowed any interest in dynamite.
Eyes. It IS n ticklish profession smil-
ed the travelling gentleman as he shov-
ed the satchcl under the lounge where
he had invited the interrogation to SIT
and chat with him. "a little danger
Gus and lnconveuicut- deuced In
convenient ut times. We have 10 be
careful" and his eyes wore hunted
look.
"Hut we get paid for tive get paid
for II. You would not believe that l
get the biggest salary OF any man on
the road. but | do. 1t is a big risk,
and we have to lay up something, The
companies will not insure us"
He graspcd n thin knee in both
hands rs he crossed his legs and CON
tinuel:
"rhat IL not the worst Of it-incon-
venicut. Travelling around with this
stuff exposes us to all sorts Of dis
courtesles from hotel Arrangements.
Sometimes we cant get rooms in Il
town for love or money. for people
won't have the stuff in the house, and
the guests come in Il body and com
plain when they find out that one of us
Is registered. There are only three in
my line. you know. Usher those cir
cumStanCcs, as we dare not leave our
samples the police station is the only
recourse. I'm registered as Il sleeper
in good number of towns in this Vi
entity"
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 ex'
plosivos Sometimes get caught. and
then off ! 90 at the next station OF
. foot It the rest Of the way. | am not
particularly fond Of railroad travel al
, any rate. With the cargo | carry Il
wreck is something to be afraid of
Even the Earring of the cars on a 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
II ever get into one, It means goodby
to Pink FirkIn. Just imagine thai
stuff going Off underneath you"-Den
yer Republican.