A Commercial Traveller's Tale.

Manawatu Herald, 25 February 1892, Page 2

A Commercial Traveller's Tale.

> » "I could tell you some .very amusing experiences I have had on the road," said the traveller for a great London firm to one of our contributors lately. • "At a certain hotel in Liverpool the commercials who were sending off their letters often used to be a good deal annoyed by the prpfuse " gassing "., of an individual in a large way of business in the pro* vision line in the town. This gentleman was for ever telling , peppje what he Was worth, and depreciating the, worth (monetary and otherwise) of all others whom he might meet, " 'I can buy So and-so up and I'm making so much,' was forever his theme, and, in order to support his character as a man of substance, he would, in order that he might take it out, and flourish it on the slighest provocation, carry about with him a banknote for a large amount, generally £1000. -..■.■.' M One night; quite recently a smart commercial from JJondon god greatly irritated, and said to Mr Bragu who was unknown to him except; by reputation : " Sir, I wish you'd: *hut up ; I'm sick of hearing your bouncing.' Brag, was up in arms in a moment, exclaiming; "Do you know whom I am ? I could buy, -up: a hundred like you," and; much more to the same effect. •: : Pretending to get very indignant, the Londoner said: 'Buy me and others like me up, can you,?'; I'll show up my money against yours now on the spot, if you like, and the man who has the most takes the other man's and pays for drinks and cigar* all round.' This offer was just the thing that the provision ' man wanted, and he instantly, with a broad amile, said : • Very well. I don't want to rob a man like you, but I'll take you on Shall I show first V * Certainly," wag the, reply. "Over a dozen commercials gathered eagerly round, the landlord came in and Mr Brag, with a tremendously pompous air, first threw down the £1000 note, and then from one pocket and another deposited about £50 in gold and silver fn a heap on the top of it, looking round as much as to say : • See how I'm going to take him a ta-ta.' "The Londoner looked at the heap, and then with great delebration he withdrew his hand from hia pocket and put down — a threepenny piece I " Ah,' said he, ' you appear to be the richer man of the two ; you take the stakes and pay for the round." " And, amid tremendous laughter, pay Mr Brag hid to ; for certain of the people there were in the habit of doing business with him, His bounce on this occasion cost, him about • sovereign.