The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-30
THE GRIP.
Scratch on the Hand That Enabled the
Drummer to Make Q Sale.

Scratch on the Hand Tina Enabled the
Drummer TO Make q Sale.
1Just before starting on my last trip
sald the commercial traveller, Il punctured
the palm OF my right hand with a nail that
was lying in ambush in my sample trunk.
1t was only a scratch, but like all slight
wounds IL was in an awkward place.
Il washed the scratch and thought no
more Of 1t until / reached Buffalo. Itseemed
to me l never met 80 many friends in my
life and all Of the hand shaking variety.
When l finally reached my hotel the lite
scratch was infamed and sore.
you know how sensitive a man can be
over nero t%riies. / didn't want TO hand
out the left paw and explain TO every one /
met that / had hurt my right hand on a
measly nail, so / kept on giving every Gus
toner the glad right hand and wincing
every time 1t was shaken.
In the course of time I discovered that
by holding my hand in a certain position.
curling up the palm. so to speak, l protected
the wound and at the same time gave no
opportunity for a complaint on the ground
Of lack Of warmth in greeting. 1t was just
about the time OF this discovery that met
Groler, buyer for one Of the biggest houses
in my line.
He was known far and wide as a crack
Of the first water and in the course Of my
travels | had never been able to get within
speaking distance Of him, let alone to sell
him any goods. Besides. he dealt with a
rival house.
we met on the street. OF course we
shook hands and / curled up my palm to
protect that scratch.
Il noticed a queer look OF Groler's face
and he squeezed my hand with renewed
visor. To protect myself l made a sort Of
lever of my thumb, bearing down on the
back Of his hand to try TO break his grip.
"To my surp rise Groler began to talk
business there and then. He>said he had
heard favorable reports OF my house and
asked me TO call with samples that after
noon.
Il was there promptly or time. He
greeted me with great cordiality and within
a few minutes 1 had sold him a large bill
Of goods and had his signature.
SAs l was about to leave, thoroughly
satisfied with my days work., Groler put his
hand on my shoulder and said in a low
voice:
sOf course, you know this is the night
for the general election. Under the By
laws, you, as q travelling member. are en-
titled to a vote in any city you may happen
to be at the time. II you have not already
made q choice I would like to urge the fit
ness Of Brother Porter for the ONCE OF
Grand Exalted Peacock
Il refrain from giving the real name OF
the office. 1t might get me into trouble.
"'Porter is a very worthy man. continued
Groler, n we purpose giving him the
biggest vote from this city that ever was
known In the history OF the order. Now,
as I said, IL you have not already made your
choice Of a candidate, | shall consider 1t a
great personal favor IL you will come to the
lodge rooms tonight with FOUR credentials
and take part in the election
This Is all Greek to me- / said. Il
don't belong to any order and know moth
ing about the election. Still, il there's
anything / can do for you Why
But you are a member Of the knights
Of the Sacred Scroll he declared with
some heat.
Never heard of EN- l said cheerfully.
"'Then how did you come to know the
gripi' he demanded. And you gave the
answering grip, too, when tested. you.
There's q traitor somewhere he almost
shoute :. See here. Will you answer
thisr'' And lie gave a peculiar wave of his
left hand.
Il stood like a fool, wondering il Re had
suddenly gone dippy.
'.'You have me guessing I said.
s"There's teen a mistake he said icily.
Il trust you will not take advantage OF any
thing you might hav learned. Good day,
SIR With that he bounced into his office
and slammed the door.
1T wasn't until l got back TO my hotel
that i formed a %connecti n between my
scratohe hand and Groler's behavior.
Unoonsciously l had stumbled upon a secret
order grip. But il was tn, means of my
selling a big bill Of goods and getting a
tpeoial commendation from the firm.
Il don't think, howe or, that | will ever
be able to sell Groler n more go cs.'