Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-04
THE DYNAMITE DRUMMER.
A Dangerous Profession That Brings
In n Good Salary.
From the Denrer

Dangerous Profession That Brings
In a Good Salary.
From the Denver Republican.
The little man who scrubbed fllegibly on
the st. James register bore an innocuous
name. 1t was Pink Firkin, New York, that
he spelled out somewhat laboriously. He
bore also an innocuous appearance for he
was not more than five feet four in height,
with slim frame, narrow shoulders and
eyes of the mildest and most appealing
blue. His spirit was timid-for, in fact,
when he was addressed he gave a little
start of fright.
Notwithstanding all this, Pink Firkin is
dangerous men. This dangerousness
rises not from the inward man. but from
his occupation. When he stepped up to the
desk to put his name on the register it was
with the most patnstaking care that he
placed upon the marble counter a little
black bag which he carried in his left
hand. 1t was a little bag, black, rusty, in
demonstrating, like its owner. bearing
the initials P. F.. NY But Pink Firkin
handled it 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 mis- eye at the little black bag to
see If it were really there. AS he wrote
IN. W he put out his left hand and rested
II upon the satchel to make sure that it
had not beeh moved.
Travelling for jewelry firm. SUPPOSE"
questioningly remarked the professional
lounger, who had grown curious.
mo. Dynamite answered Mr.. Frkin.
with faint smile. 1t the loiterer's
turn to start. He recovered himself. and
as the rest of the loungers in the rotunda.
including the clerks, made rapid exits in
both directions, put on bold front.
'Oh, dynami'e?" he returned, with a
show of unconcern. only dynamite.
Humoh.''
Eyes. My firm in New York makes the
best dynamite in the orld-goes off at the
slightest shock-especially in hot weather
Great hot weather stuff Want to see
some?" inquired the drummer, his profess
sional training getting the upper hand. He
took the satcheI in his hand with some
roughness and the professional lounger
set himself in position for a quick sprint.
Nothing happened. and the lounger hastily
disavowed any interest in dynamite.
Yes. it is a ticklish profession" smiled
the travelling gentleman. as he showed the
satchel under the lounge where he had in
vited the interrogation to sit and chat with
him. "A little dangerous. and inconvenient
yes, deuced inconvenient at times. We
have to be careful" and his eyes wore
hunted look.
But we get paid for tive get paid for
it, You would not believe that I get the
biggest salary of any man on the road
but I do. It is a big risk and we have to
lay up something. The companies will not
insure u.s."
He erasped a thin knee in both hands as
he crossed his legs. and continued:
THAT is not the worst Of it, 1nconven-
lent. Travelling around with this stuff ex-
poses US to all sorts of discourtesies from
hotel arrangements. Sometimes We can't
get rooms in a town, for love or money.
for people won't have the stuff in the
house. and the guests come in body and
complain when they find cut that one of as
is registered. There are only three in my
line you know Under those circumstances
as we dare not leave our samples. the po-
lice station Is the only recourse. I'm reg
istered as a sleeper IN a good number of
towns in this vicinity"
He paused minute for this statement to
take effect Then there are the railroads
to buck up against Some of them have
rules against carrying explosives on the
sometimes between stations, and have to
hard time getting transportation, and usu-
ally travel because / am on the soft side
of the officials. Sometimes / get caught.
and then off / go at the next station, or
sometimes between stations, and have TO
foot il the rest of the way. 1 am not par
ticularly fond of railroad travel at any
rate With the cargo ! carry wreck is
something to be afraid of. Even the jar
ring of the cars on a rough road makes
me so uncomfortable that l have to take
up my satchel and pace the aisle to reduce
the shock.
The one thing that fear is a wreck. If
I ever get into one 1t means goodbye to
Pink Firkin. Just imagine that stuff going
off underneath you"
Both men on the seat shu6dered- The
prospect disturbed the lounger, who beat
a haSty retreat.