New Britain herald., 1928-04-16

both among the boys and the horses
 and it was common sight to find a
 certain team already hitched on q
 certain day. all ready for a traveller
 who visited the city on regular schedule.
 All that was necessary for the boys to do was to hold the reins
 while the travelling man made
 his stops. and some instances. the
 responsibility for making the trip ! from store to store with the least : possible waste of time was shoulder
 ed by the boys, especially when the
 'drummers' were new to the terri
 tory. Thus. the boys not only earned | considerable spending money but they became proficient in the driving { of horses and kept themselves occu- pied mentally and physically while on vacation from school. Occasion- ally. there would be d full days | work in the visit of 8 travelling man. but as a rule the calls were rom-
 pleted il the forenoon and so did not interfere greatly with the enjoyment Ol tllt udS.
 True 10 tradition. the boys of New ' Britain were quick 10 note that there was wide difference in the char. actcristics Of the various drum. mers" for whom they drove, and all though every traveller could find someone 10 accompany him, the boys had their preferences and never hesitatcd 10 put up q fight. if necessary. to 'get good guy" One instance of this fact was recalled re- gently by local business man who in his boyhood drove for travelling men at least once a week for several years. He wanted 10 drive a soap salesman who had an enviable repu- tation for jovialjty and generosity. but another boy. somewhat older and taller than he, met the sales man at the passenger station and carried his bag to Finncgan's stable, where the team was rented. Not wishing to disappoint either of the boys. but being in need of but one helper, the salesman tossed q coin and the older boy won. In an instant the rivals were hammering away at each others heads with their little fists while the salesman hastcned to separate them. He was so touched by the grief Of the unsuccessful bid der that he had both lads pile into the team and accompany him on his route. allowing them to divide the driving, and he paid each of them when his days work was ended.
 Some salcsmen still travel by train to New Britain, especially those who spend but 3. few hours in this city on business calls. but the majority of the "drummers drive their own cars and consequently do not need boys to ride with them The auto mobiles are parked where the horses were formerly hitched, and if the purchasers on whom the sales men cali chance to be away. there is no time lost. for the trip to the next stop is a matter of but a few min uths by automobile, and the calls that would formerly require an hour can be made in less than half that time.
 There were some picturesque 'drummcrs' on local routes in those days, and their individuality made them many friends among business men and others with whom they came in contact while making their rounds. When the Hotel Russwin was in operation on the site of the present city building. many sa'her- lnes Of traveling men produced bet ter vaudeville than professional troupe could offer, for some of the travellers were born actors and story teliers On the other hand New