Page:The Tales of a Traveller.djvu/18

6 proved not only business before pleasure, but also another man's business before duty to my own. Upon his return from his trip during the month of August, he found all things satisfactory, and from his manner I gathered that my chances were pretty good for an advancement of another weekly dollar.

Extensive Trip Through the West One fine day in September my employer held a consultation with me on the subject of an extensive trip through the middle West. He was one of those men, to be met with in every-day life, who had a sort of hesitancy, amounting almost to fear, about any new undertaking. Such men, though they may have good ideas, and plan things, always hesitate about carrying out their plans and ideas, and wish someone else to share the responsibility. He wanted to know, in the first place, if I had confidence in my success. In the second place, he tried to impress upon me in his own peculiar manner the need of economy and hard work. I could well give him my assurance as to the latter, but could not possibly undertake to insure him against my failure to produce results. He finally decided, after some reflection, to make the venture. I was to start by way of Maryland, and wind up goodness only knows where. The route wasn't very definite, and he left it largely to me to come out on the right side of the ledger.

My knowledge of the geography of the country at that time was rather limited, but I determined to consult every folder of every railroad in existence; and after making up a list of towns, crossing out some and inserting others, I mapped out my route. I left Philadelphia on the 10th of September, and on the 15th, on a Sunday (my first Sunday away from my family) I stopped at Hagerstown, Md. My success the first week was in noways marked, though on the whole I managed to pay my salary and expenses.

Hotel Inconveniences in the Old Days Traveling expense at that time was not to be compared with traveling expense today. The modern hotel, with its electric lights, shower-baths, magnificent furniture, and other luxurious things, was unknown in those days. At $2 per day, on the American plan, accommodations were fine enough to suit the most fastidious traveler. If one lacked running hot and cold water, and electricity in his room, one was more than recompensed by the wholesome and plentiful food that always waited the weary traveler at any hostelry. The older traveling men will well recall the delicious buckwheat cakes, lamb chops, eggs, and other good things that delighted their palates on a cold frosty morning. Today, alas, $2 per day for a mere room in a first-class hotel is practically the lowest rate one can obtain. The eating end of it has become a matter of cafes, where every traveling man well learns "the high cost of living" Even in the matter of tips, the price has doubled. Where a negro waiter would almost prostrate himself in thanks for a dime, the haughty cafe waiter will treat you with contempt if you lay down less than a quarter. It is often a matter of wonder to me that the traveling men can put up with such treatment and unnecessary expense.

Through Hagerstown, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Zanesville and Columbus At Hagerstown, Md., I made the acquaintance of William Bester and Henry Bester & Sons. And not only have I retained their trade to this very day, but I have won their friendship as well. The Besters are successful growers and fine men.

From Hagerstown, I proceeded toward Cumberland and Pittsburgh; in the latter city I had already made a few friends the previous Spring. The Fall season now being in full sway, my order book began to assume a respectable aspect. I