New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-04


n Star was occupied Eight pairs Of feet adorned
the heavy brass ratings along the ss Of the two VIDE
low windows that looked out upon Highest, ana almost
as many were thrust into the warmth OF the gas logs
flaming in the central fireplace. one or two men IN
chairs in the outlying districts were frankly asleep
over all was q haze 81 cigar smoke
Coming in from q walk after supper, Wilson searched
the lobby until he found Thorburn talking with some
one in corner.
MAY Join YOU, Mr. Thorburn:" he asked, his hand
on the back Of a vacant chair
Sure. pull up This is Mr.. FELTON,, Wilson, Pills
FELTON, Federal Drug Company. He's one OF the old
timers: ne knows all about drummcrs. Lordy, PlAS,
how many If EN- we've seen 60.
600 You bet, Jim and they're Just about all gone
now. | saw one twenty years ago, and think ne was
the last don't remember much about HIM except that
he had a waiscoat and diamond OH yes, 90 re-
member that ne got two good orders the day saw
him." FELTON, rubbed the top of his head thoughtiuly
~Onc Of them was 70 get out, and the other TO stay
out"
Il was telling Wilson little while ago that the drum
ncr was one Of the articles that none Of the houses car
ricd these days, said Thorburn. There aren't any
They Just naturally beat themselves to death.
YES; but, Jimmy, | remember the time, and 50 do
vou when they were as thick as lcas on without
being so busy. They'd loaf away half a day with one
man. and turn in an expense account that was ashamed
Of itself If fellow couldn't split bottle Of whisky
with a customer and hand out new tough story with
every drink he didn't sell goods Oh, YES know that
the customers to blame for lot OF it. he moment
you'd 90 into a store the proprietor would sing out
Hello, Bill Got any new ones for me this week And
new ones didn't refer to goods, either.
But, Mr. Felton,, Wilson intcrposed "doesn' q man
the road have to be-well, something of good fellow
these days."
Good fellow Not on your lie he doesn't. He's got
TO be good salesman, that's all. You'll find the good
fellows in the graveyard. not on the road
yep and they'll hold that job longer than they ever
held any other Thorburn ntcrjcctcd, watching Wilson
out Of the tail Of his eye. Nowadays, If man takes up
poker and drinking and storytelling side line, he'll
find out that he can't handle his regular goods at all
and his side line is too cheap to show profit.
"Why, Jim, man hasn't any time these days 70 ST
in a game or drink When he's been hustlng around
al day on the Jump every minute till long after sup
per- he doesn't want to play cards, anyhow: he's too
tired He doesn't want to drink either, because It
an even bet that he's got to turn ont at sunrise next
morning 10 make another town But when ! was new
on the road remember making Crawforlsylc Indiana,
one Saturday after dinner and finding poker game IN
full blast among bunch of statesmen and customers in
room just of the hotel Office They had their food
brought in and they didn't stop PLAYING until nine
o'clock Sunday night. When was paving my bill on
Monday morning heard one OF the players. drum
mcr trying to touch the ccr; for loan. He said he'd
lost all his own money and all his expense money and
couldn't wire his house for any more And he never