Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-04-22
Aat1nrons department.
A Drummer's Yarn.

The first time I made Philadelphia
for my firm had funny experience
said the furniture drummer in the lob
by of the Bingham house. II was green
then so far as this market was con-
cerned and didn't know Tom, Dick OF
Harry. All I had to go by was list
Of the trade and explicit instructions
to sell the fashioned, way-back
firm of B. & Co., If possible. They were
as rich as Croesus. but harder to crack
than an ivory nut, so there was special
emphasis on the words If possible.
"I came down on the 7.25 and spread
out my baggage as much as I could In
order to keep the whole seat for myself,
or If compelled to share it to give room
only to some one who looked congen-
ial. Yo. fellows know how to work
that scheme. And If your companion
happens to be one Of the fair sex you
are in luck, but I wasn't in luck that
morning, at least didn't think so, for
my neighbor turned out to be crab
bed old gent, who looked like second
edition Of Scrooge, the tight-fisted
partner Of Marley. in one Of Dickenss
tales.
"Well, this Scrooge and got to talk
ing together after awhile, and told
him 1 was going to try and make rec
ord for myself on that trip by selling
a big bill to B. & Co.
"'Do you think you will?' he asked.
"'Not on your life.' said I, B. & Co.,
don't do enough buying to keep warm.
Seems to me they're dying Of dry rot
And then got my hammer out and
began to knock. Why, look here;
we've got a line that everybody bought
this season, but not B. & Co. Oh, no,
not them! They don't know good
thing when they see 1t. jerks, the cod
who buys for them, ought to be In an
old ladies' home. He's lobster for
fair, and crawls backward, like crab
"Well, I raked jerks fore and aft,
and when I got through pouring in the
hot shot the old gent asked quietly:
Is that your candid opinion Of this
buyer.
lord, no!' said I. I've never seen
the old guy'in my life. What I'm tell
ing you is the opinion Of my firm, and
they ought to know
"Then the train reached Philadelphia,
and as we. got out at Broad street I
left my friend at the station.
"That afternoon, after a good dinner,
and feeling pretty nervy, started with
my sample photographs for B. & CO.'S.
The buyers office Is in the rear, and
when I pushed open the door, Great
Scott! thought I'd faint, for there,
seated at the desk, was my railroad
friend-Jenks, the buyer.
did feel cheap? Say, don't real
ly know how I felt. My first impulse
was to slam the door and escape, but
he called to me very kindly: We'll,
sir, what can I do for you? and then
retreat was out Of the question.
Would you believe it, he never let
on that he knew me? Treated me like
a total stranger, and the apology that
was on my lips very wisely smother
ed. Not a word did he say about the
meeting on the train or what I had
said about him. But he ordered good
bill; shook hands with me cordially:
said he was glad had called, and gave
me a Perfecto when I left him.
"You see I had unconsciously held
a mirror up to him and he WASH
pleased with the reflection and wan
ted to square himself with the firm.
Funny, wasn't it! That's the only
time I can remember ever entertain
ing en- angel unawares. York
Times.