he doesn't keep, so he can cut me off at once, and then takes my card
or listens to my name.

I don't want to come right out and say "Do you need anything in my
line?" for if he answers "No" I ought to turn about and leave him, so
I casually remark that it is a good day, or a stormy day, and he says
"Yes," as if he had heard that before. I take a roundabout way of
getting to my business, and all the time he would be very glad if I
was in Halifax. I may interest him in my goods before I get through,
but if he could have had his way he would have omitted the interview
until a better time for him.

But there are men on the road who drum a man if they reach the town at
midnight, and as he sticks his head out of his bedroom window, inform
him they are giving an extra 2 1/2 on "J. I. C." curry-combs and ask
him how he wants his shipped. Henley can do this. The boys on the road
know that he carries a Waterbury watch in each pocket, and expects to
sell 1,000 bills in 1,000 minutes.

I appreciate such a man as Whipper. Whatever it was he was doing he
always dropped it, and met a salesman as if he was honestly pleased. I
think that ought to offset a great many sins. I hope it will.

I told him my little story and he looked as if he believed every word
I said. Then he asked, in a very confidential tone "What is your best
price on American bull-dogs?"

"Two dollars and eighty-five cents."

"Phew! You are far out of the way, my dear boy, far out of the way.