Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-06-12
THE DRUMMER WHO WAS BROKE.
He Tells Of His Experiences Mlsunder.
standing Came Near Causing BIoodshed.

There are two things that seem to
bother a travelling man-how to run
up large expense account and how
to kill time. Recently, at the
Charleston Hotel, number of old
timers were discussing these topics
topics very absorbing to them
when young looking fellow with a
blue suit on changed the subject by
asking if any one in the crowd had
ever been dead broke. Of course
everybody replied yes. But the
young fellow went further by quail
flying his remark.
81 mean," he explained, "to get
in pinch whore you couldn't even
borrow sue or even touch your
house. Never had that experience,
eh2 Well, you can bet ten to one
shot that have.
"It has been some time now, but
can't forget it. was out in the
West at the time, near the border of
Canada, when my exchequer went
wrong, and | had to sell my samples
to pay board. That relieved me
until got ready to leave the town.
had nothing to get out with except
my feet, and | tell you frankly l
used them to good advantage. l
literally tramped it for two months,
all of the time making for the East.
hyked through towns like genu-
inc Willy, looking for poke-o outs,
and had the pleasure oi making
many strange acquaintances, as we'll
as passing many nights in prison.
| stood the hardships very well,
because | figured that each one
brought me SO much nearer home.
The idea, though, of having nothing
to do almost drove me crazy, and
finally determined to get work of
some kind. The afternoon of the
day that came to this conclusion
came to crossroads store. | lott
cred about the place for little
while and then braced the country
man who kept the shop. | told him
that l was fairly well educated and
was willing to milk cows, nurse
babies, play hostler or anything that
would bring me bed and board.
The proposition being so liberal
appealed to the man and he told me
that he would take me to supper and
then we'd talk the matter over with
his wife.
81 found the woman agreeable
enough and she seemed pleased to
know that | wanted to live with
them. The fact, too, that l was
willing to work for nothing struck
both of them as fine bargain and
the result was got employment.
| was general farm hand and such
satisfaction did | give that the man
soon became ashamed of himself for
allowing me to work for nothing.
lie took me into his confidence, say
ing that he wanted to help me in
some way, and suggested that go
to little trading town near the
border and buy fur. lie promised
to furnish me team of horses, food
and some money and to divide
profits.
"That sta2 I pretty fair deal and
in the circ Instances / was only too
willing to get chance to make
money. The old fellow gave me
full Instructions as to purchasing
furs and where to sell the stuff after
had got it.
"Bcfore putting out on my trip he
told me to look out for my life, az
would go up against unscrupulous
people. He warned me to get
myself under cover before nightfall
and to be careful with whom
bunkcd. The place | was making
for was aboa: fifty miles distant and
| took with me, besides provisions
and money, an old-timo revolver. |
had just enough balls for one round
!. and, of course, had to be careful
the way snapped the trigger.
The second day out my attention
was attracted to squirrel, which
jumped across the narrow road lust
in front of me. | waited until it
climbed q tree and when it became
motionlcss | fired two shots ut it.
never seemed to think until after
had fired that | had no shots to spare
and it made me sore because didn't
Kill the squirrel either | turned
the chamber of my revolver back,
stuck it in my belt and whipped up
my team so AZ to make shelter for
the night.
} "In little while | came to small
house and was greeted by a good
naturcd looking woman. I applied
! for lodging, but she told mo that it