The Press., 1900-01-25

THE DYNAMITE DRUMMER.
a Dangerous Profession That Brings
I'm q Good Salary.

I'm q Good Salary.
The little man who scribbled illegibly
on the st. James register bore an in
nocuous name. 1t was Pink Firkin,
New York. 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.
Notwithstanding all this, Pink Firkin
is a dangerous man. This dangerous,
ness 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
painstaking care that he placed upon
the marble counter a little black bag
which he carried in his left hand. Care
fully, gently, he placed it by his side,
and between almost every letter he
his eye at the little black bag to see If
it were really there.
Travelling for jewelry firm, sup
poser questioningly remarked the
professional lounger, who had grown
curious.
mo. Dynamite" answered Mr.. Fir
kin, with faint smile. 1t was 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, dynamite ?" he returned, with a
show of unconcern. "Only dynamite.
Humph."
Eyes, my firm in New York makes
the best dynamite in the world-goes
off at the slightest shock. Great stuff.
Want to see someT' inquired the drum
mer, his professional training getting
the upper hand. He took the satchel
in his hand with some roughness, and
the professional lounger set himself in
position for a quick sprint. Nothing
happened, and the lounger hastily dis
avowed any interest in dynamite.
Eyes, it is ticklish profession" smil-
ed the travelling gentleman as he shov-
ed the satchel under the lounge where
he had invited the interrogation to sit
and chat with him. "a little danger
GUS and inconvenient-yes, deuced in
convenient at times. We have to be
careful" and his eyes 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 1 do. 1t is big risk,
and we have to lay up something. The
companies will not insure u.s."
He grasped a thin knee in both
hands as he crossed his legs and con-
tinued: ....
"That is not the worst of it-incon.
venient. Travelling around with this
stuff exposes us to all sorts of dis
courtesies from hotel managements
Sometimes we can't get rooms In q
town for love or money, for people
won't have the stuff In the house, and
the guests come in a body and com.
plain when they find out that one Of us
Is registered. There are only three in
my line, you know. Under those cir
cumstances, as we dare not leave oul
samples, the police station is the only
recourse. I'm registered as a sleeper
in a good number Of towns in this vi
cinity."
| He paused a minute for this state.
ment to take effect. "Then there are
the railroads to buck up against. Some
Of them have rules against carrying ex-
plosives. Sometimes get caught, and
then off I go 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 1 carry q
wreck is something to be afraid Of
Even the jarring 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
If ever get into one, it means goodby
to Pink Firkin. Just imagine that
stuff going off underneath youv'-Den
yer Republican.
| Tho pr;f hro o 00