The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-27

transit of mails and passengers was bv
stage coaches, and a trip 20 or from tide
water was more of an undertaking than
a present passage to Europe. 1t was not
easy to go often to market to procure
goods, except in quantities; consequently
stocks were rarely renewed oftener than
semi-yearly, being shipped to the nearest
port and hauled thence by long carriage
in the wagons of the country. These lin
tied business facilities compelled the inte-
rior merchants to make large purchases
at their somewhat rare visits 10 Northern
cities. Such trading trips also afforded
opportunity for enjoying in moderation
the pleasures of the metropolis and this
was assisted by the company of residents,
who were capable pilots among the city's
nocturnal sights and sounds. Here was
where the previously acquainted salesman
got in his influence and harvested the fruit
Of his Southern itinerary, securing custom
ers as much by politeness as prices.
But 1 am getting off the track of original
intention which was to tell about old-time
methods of going after trade by the indl-
rect way of cultivating social relations.
For reasons 1 have mentioned, interior
travel by public conveyance was limited
and precarious, schedule time being sub
ject to the casualties of corduroy roads,
weary horses and overladen coaches. 1t
was better for the drummer on arrival al
some Northern connected port TO invest I'm
an equestrian outfit, consisting usually of
a horse, saddle, bride, blanket, and in
place of trunk or grip a pair of saddle
bags. With these he was independent of
timetables and go-as-you-please cavalier
of the road sure to find a hospitable re-
ception, with free entertainment at priv
ate houses, hotels being few. 1t was
good deal of a picnic, with some business
flavor, and pledges of friendship over ''old
peach and honey" were followed by hope
to meet you later in New York" 1 always
carried weapons. more because Ii was the
custom of the country than on account of
confidence in their protection. Never but
once was l inclined to use them defens-
lively.
1t was In a wild border country that
night overlook me on an unknown road
on the way to the country town where 1
intended TO relieve myself of the care of.
a considerable sum of collected money, by
deposting it In bank AS 1t grew more
dark and cloudy 1 doubted my ability to
make it, therefore looked somewhat anx-
iously for some inhabited stopping place.
II seemed long way between houses, and
the hour was late when I pulled up within
haiIing distance of a light. "Halloo, the
house." said l, and man came out with
a blazing pine knot. He greeted me with
inquiry for shelter said: "Well, we amt
keepin' no hotel, an the 'commodations
is rather poor. Still if yer min to light
down and come in, you'll at least keep dry,
for 1 reckon there's storm comm. ." Fol-
lowing the torch-bearer into a clearing
where stumps and girdled trees We're
prominent, we came to small log cabin,
through whose uncurtaned windows the
blaze of a fire cleaned brightly. After
in he
lee of fodder stack, my guide pulled the
latch string and invited me in. I found
there three other men of the mountaineer
type, and dressed alike in homespun. Each
one of the quartette carried a hunting
knife at his side, and there were four
long rifles leaning against the wall of the
single room, which was entirely without
furniture and only lighted by pine knots
burning in the wide fireplace. They were
not effusive in their greetings, but proffer-
ed some fresh-made sandwiches of dried
venison and corn bread, also saying, as
a bottle was passed TO me: "Help your
self to the corn juice stranger; if you
don't like il straight, there's water in that
gouYd.'
My thanks for the lunch were received
without response, and it seemed to me
that 1 was considered an intruder. While
| ate. my thoughts were busy and my
l.
Was l In danger of robbery, or worse?
MY first mental question was answered, as
they seated themselves in the puncheon
floor and resumed a game of cards which
| now learned my arrival had interrupt
ed. The second was not easy to settle;
so far there had been little cordiality, yet
less cause for apprehension. My enforced
visit could not have been anticipated, or
the fact of my temporary flush of money
known TO them. Still, the time, the place,
their occupation and especially their looks
were suspicious and l wished 1 was we'll
out of their company, repenting that had
invited myself into it. With the remark
that l would like to see to my horse, l
went out and debated in thought whether
to mount and light out of there" as
the local vernacular would put it, or re-
main and risk the possibilities. Rejecting
that if their intentions were hostile, my
ignorance of the road gave them an sd
vantage l concluded it was better to
make as much defensive preparatio ton as
possible, and face the chances inside. So
went in again, carrying
my horse furnishings, also
small pistol in each side pocket
of my riding coat, and taking position
near the wall to prevent an attack in rear,
1 spread the blanket, fixed the saddle for
a back rest, and sat down to watch the
card PLAYERS with each and in a pocket,
grasping a concealed pistol. No attention
was paid to me, and all talk was about
the game, at which considerable money
was lost and won, while 1 wondered who
had been robbed to furnish il, and when
a demand, emphasized by the blade of
knife or the muzzle of rifle, would be
made on me to contribute to the stakes.
The scene grew monotonous and the
strain of expectancy wearisome, till l slept,
in spite of my fears, nor waited till the
morning sun showed that 1 was alone,
with my person and property intact, be-
sides enough bread, meat and drink left
for INV breakfast Well, my first thought
was to mentally kick myself, the next
that men may not always be taken for
what they appear and finally to remember
that gambling was prohibited by statute
in any dwelling house, store, shop or other
permanently inhabited building. Inc lone
cabin was neither of these, and had only
briefly interrupted a quiet quartette of
card players for keeps.
"A curious attempt to raise 81 silver
oortifcate to the S. denomination was dis