The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-09-29
WHY HE IS NERVOUS.
Mr., Ffrlkin Travels for Dynamite
Factory and Carries Samples
with Him.

The little man who scribbled illegibly
on the ST. James register bore an in
nocuous name. 1t was Pink Firkin,
New York, that he spelled out some
what laboriously. He bore also an in
nocuous 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 little start
of fright.
Notwithstanding all this, Pink Fir
kin is u dangerous man. This danger
business rises not from the inward man,
but from his occupation. When he
stepped up to the desk to register it was
with the most painstaking care that he
placed upon the marble counter little
black bag which he carried in his left
hand. 1t was little bag, black, rusty,
innocuous looking, like its owner, bear
ing the initials, p. F., n, Y. But Pink
Firkin handled 1t as If 1t were the most
valuable thing in the world. Carefully,
gently, he placed it by his side, and
pCI"SCll ul1hOSl iCtNCl llS NlOtC AC
looked out of the corner of his eye at the
little black bag to see if 1t were really
there. AS he wrote IN. Y" he put out
his left hand and rested 1t upon the
satchel to make sure that 1t had not
been moved.
dynamite" said Mr.. Firkin, with
faint smile. "'My firm In New York
makes the best dynamite In the world
goes off at the slightest tshock-especial-.
ly in hot weather. Great hot-weather
stuff. Want to see some ?" inquired the
drummer, his professional training
getting the upper hand. He took the
satchel in his hand with some rough
ness, and the professional lounger set
himself In position for quick sprint.
Nothing happened, and the lounger
hastily disavowed any interest in dyna-
mite,
eyes, 1t is ticklish profession"
smiled the travelling gentleman as he
showed the satchel under the lounge
where he had invited the interrogation
to sit and chat with him. "a little dam
gerous and inconvenient at times. We
have to be careful" and his eye wore a
hunted look.
''But we get paid for tive get paid
for it. You would not believe that get
the biggest salary of any man on the
road, but l do. 1t is big risk, and we
have to lay up something. The COM
panies will not insure u.s.
He grasped a thin knee in both hands
as he crossed his legs, and continues:
"That Is not the worst of 1t, Incon-
venient. Travelling around with this
stuff exposes us to all sorts of discour-
tesies from hotel managements. Some
times we can't get rooms In town for
love or money, for people won't have the
stuff in the house, and the guests come
in body to complain when they find
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 police sta
tion is the only recourse, I'm regis
tered as Sleeper in good number of
towns in this vicinity"
Hepaused minute for this statement
to take effect. "Then there are rail-
roads to buck up against. Some of them
have rules against carrying explosives.
Sometimes get caught, and then off 1
go at the next station, or sometimes be-
tween stations, and have to foot it the
rest Of the way. am not particularly
fond of railroad travel at any rate.
With the cargo I carry q wreck is
something to be afraid of. Even the
jarring of the ears 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.
If ever get into one it means good-by
to Pink Firkin. Just imagine that stuff
going off underneath you."
Both men on the seat shuddered.
The preSpect disturbed the lounger,
who beat hasty retreat.-Denver Re-
publican. =.